Households Below Average Income statement

Today's shocking poverty figures reveal a disturbing milestone: a record 4.3 million children are now trapped in poverty in the UK, marking an alarming rise of 100,000 in just one year. Claire Atchia McMaster, Director of Income and External Affairs at the national anti-poverty charity Turn2us, responds with grave concern: 

"The latest surge in UK child poverty rates should be treated as a national emergency. In a nation as wealthy as ours, it's unacceptable that millions of children are deprived of essentials like food and clothing, which blocks their path to success. 

Notes to editors: Turn2us is a member of the End Child Poverty coalition, a group united in the vision of a UK free from child poverty.

The stories we hear from families who contact us underline the harsh realities many households face. No child should go hungry or miss out on educational experiences due to financial hardship. 

We echo the calls for urgent action to address this crisis. It's imperative to invest in policies that directly support low-income families, such as increasing support through Universal Credit and removing punitive policies, including the two-child limit. 

It is time for the UK government to take decisive action to ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background.”