Families going hungry as child poverty worsens

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Communities and also in Finance, Health

The poorest parents in Britain are going hungry as they strive to make sure their children have enough to eat, a shocking new report reveals.

Save The Children spoke to 1,500 children and 5,000 parents during its research and found that poor parents are missing regular hot meals and are unable to afford essential clothing items.

The report - Child Poverty 2012: It Shouldn't Happen Here - discovered that children worry about their family not having enough money. It found that poverty levels are causing parents to suffer emotional strain, with almost a quarter admitting to arguing or snapping more at their children because of money worries.

One in seven of the poorest children surveyed say they have to go without a warm winter coat and new shoes when they need them, whilst almost one in five say they miss out on school trips because of their parents’ money shortages. 80% of parents said they were borrowing more money for essentials like food and clothing.

Eleven-year-old Duncan told researchers: "My mum makes sacrifices so that I can do the hobbies I want to do to keep me off the streets.

"She cuts back on buying herself new shoes and clothes."

Save the Children's chief executive, Justin Forsyth, said: “No child should see their parent going hungry or start the new term without a warm coat and with holes in their shoes.

"Poverty is tearing families apart, with parents buckling under the pressure of mounting bills and children seeing their parents argue more about money.

"That’s why for the first time in our history we are launching a UK appeal. We need to help poor families survive the recession."