New figures released by the End Child Poverty coalition have revealed the growing scale of child poverty across the country, even before the pandemic hit.
The research carried out by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition shows that in the latest year (2019/20) there were 3,551 of children trapped in poverty in Ceredigion. That’s 33% of children.
Ben Lake MP has added their voice to calls on the UK Government to recognise the scale of the problem, saying:
“If the Government is to make its plans for ‘levelling up’ the country a reality, it needs to take urgent action and come up with a credible plan to end child poverty. If we are to live in a society where every child has the chance to succeed we need to invest in this and future generations.
This plan to end child poverty should include a commitment to increase child benefits. Families in Ceredigion are already struggling. The planned £20 per week cut to Universal Credit this October should be revoked, or a bad situation will become even worse.
I will be taking this message to Parliament and calling on the Government to make sure that all children in my constituency are supported to be the best they can be.”
Judith Cavanagh, End Child Poverty Coalition Coordinator said:
“We can all agree what a good, healthy, happy childhood looks like. But without a comprehensive plan to end child poverty we will continue to see rising numbers of children cut adrift - experiencing shame, social isolation and missing opportunities to participate fully in life in and outside of school. We are urging the Government, as part of a plan to end child poverty, to prioritise increasing children's benefits and to not take money away from families in the autumn, with their planned £20 cut to Universal Credit."
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