Case Study of Child Poverty in UK This case study looks at: Evidence of Child Poverty Reasons for Child Poverty Government strategies to tackle Child Poverty Effectiveness of Government Policies in Tackling Child Poverty Other agencies involved in tackling Child Poverty Child Poverty Action Group CPAG is the leading national charity working to end poverty among children, young people and families in the UK. Their vision is of a society free of child poverty where all children can enjoy their childhoods and have fair chances in life to reach their full potential. Facts and Figures According to CPAG: 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK today. That’s 27 % of children, or more than one in four. There are even more serious concentrations of child poverty at a local level: in 100 local wards, for example, between 50 and 70 per cent of children are growing up in poverty. Work does not provide a guaranteed route out of poverty in the UK. Two-thirds (66%) of children growing up in poverty live in a family where at least one member works. 61% of families in the bottom income quintile would like, but cannot afford, to take their children on holiday for one week a year. By 16, children receiving free school meals achieve 1.7 grades lower in their exams than their wealthier peers. Leaving school with fewer qualifications translates into lower earnings over the course of a working life. Child poverty imposes costs on broader society – estimated to be at least £29 billion a year. Governments forgo prospective revenues as well as commit themselves to providing services in the future if they fail to address child poverty in the here and now. Under current government policies, child poverty is projected to rise from 2012/13 with an expected 600,000 more children living in poverty by 2015/16. This upward trend is expected to continue with 4.7 million children projected to be living in poverty by 2020. Page 1
Transcript
Case Study of Child Poverty in UK
This case study looks at:
Evidence of Child Poverty
Reasons for Child Poverty
Government strategies to tackle Child Poverty
Effectiveness of Government Policies in Tackling Child Poverty
Other agencies involved in tackling Child Poverty
Child Poverty Action Group
CPAG is the leading national charity working to end poverty among children, young people and families in the UK.
Their vision is of a society free of child poverty where all children can enjoy their childhoods and have fair chances in life to reach their full potential.
Facts and Figures
According to CPAG:
3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK today. That’s 27 % of children, or more than one in four.
There are even more serious concentrations of child poverty at a local level: in 100 local wards, for example, between 50 and 70 per cent of children are growing up in poverty.
Work does not provide a guaranteed route out of poverty in the UK. Two-thirds (66%) of children growing up in poverty live in a family where at least one member works.
61% of families in the bottom income quintile would like, but cannot afford, to take their children on holiday for one week a year.
By 16, children receiving free school meals achieve 1.7 grades lower in their exams than their wealthier peers. Leaving school with fewer qualifications translates into lower earnings over the course of a working life.
Child poverty imposes costs on broader society – estimated to be at least £29 billion a year. Governments forgo prospective revenues as well as commit themselves to providing services in the future if they fail to address child poverty in the here and now.
Under current government policies, child poverty is projected to rise from 2012/13 with an expected 600,000 more children living in poverty by 2015/16. This upward trend is expected to continue with 4.7 million children projected to be living in poverty by 2020.
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What is Poverty?
When we think about poverty many of us visualise countries in the developing world. We think of famine, of shanty towns, or of children dying from preventable diseases. Yet this is clearly not what we observe in the UK.
So, is there any poverty here?
Peter Townsend, the sociologist who did so much to advance our understanding of poverty and its relationship to wider society, and was also one of CPAG’s founders, certainly thought so. In 1979 Townsend defined poverty as follows:
“Individuals, families and groups in the population can be said to be in poverty when they lack resources to obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged and approved, in the societies in which they belong.”
As this definition makes clear, in affluent societies such as the UK poverty can only properly be understood in relation to the typical living standards in society.
Townsend’s definition also highlights that poverty is about a lack of resources. Poor people lack capital (both income and wealth). But they can also be resource-poor in other ways: they may lack human capital (such as education or good health), or social capital (such as positive and trustful communities). Yet it is money that, to a large extent, determines whether people are able to compensate for other shortfalls in their lives. That is why a lack of adequate financial resources is the decisive characteristic of poverty.
2014: Scottish Council Wards with rates of child poverty of more than 30%
Local Authority Ward Percentage of children
living in poverty
SOURCE: END CHILD POVERTY
Aberdeen City Northfield 35%
Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen 31%
Dundee City Lochee 31%
Coldside 31%
Maryfield 30%
East End 36%
North East 3 32%
East Ayrshire Kilmarnock South 35%
Edinburgh City Forth 30%
Sighthill/Gorgie 36%
Portobello/Craigmillar 30%
Fife The Lochs 33%
Kirkcaldy East 32%
Buckhaven, Methil and Wemyss Villages 40%
Glasgow City Linn 32%
Greater Pollok 30%
Craigton 31%
Govan 38%
Southside Central 40%
Calton 50%
Anderston/City 37%
Garscadden/Scotstounhill 36%
Drumchapel/Anniesland 41%
Maryhill/Kelvin 31%
Canal 43%
Springburn 52%
East Centre 44%
Shettleston 31%
North East 4 38%
Inverclyde Inverclyde East Central 31%
North Ayrshire Irvine West 33%
Evidence of Child Poverty in Scotland
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From the sources above, it is evident that many children in our country are living in poverty. In other words, they are living in households where their parents cannot provide the essentials that they need to ensure good health and well being.
It is also evident, however, that the potential for a child to live in poverty can be dependant on the area of Scotland that they live in.
Activity 1
From the electoral wards listed above, choose two parts of Scotland, one affluent with a low percentage of Child Poverty and one with a high percentage of child poverty. Compare both areas with one another using the headings below.
Council
Population by Age Group
Unemployment levels
Child Poverty levels
Crime rates
Life Expectancy
Infant Mortality rates
Alcohol/Drug abuse rates
Level of Social Housing
Educational Achievement rates
You may find the following websites useful:
Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/sns (Scottish Government Website) End Child Poverty: http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/why-end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area (Made up of more than 150 organisations from civic society including children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others.)
Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland: http://www.cpag.org.uk/scotland (Charity/Pressure Group)
Once you have completed your research, you must produce a short report detailing your findings. Reasons for Child Poverty
What increases the risk of poverty?
The statistics show that a child is at greatest risk of poverty if they live in a family where no one works, however a substantial and growing number of poor children are living in families where at least one a parent is in paid employment. In 2011, nearly two thirds of poor children were living in families where someone was in work. Other risk factors for ending up living in poverty include:
Living in a lone parent family Living in a larger family with 3 or more children Living in social housing Living in a household where someone is disabled.
Where you live can also affect your risk of living in poverty
Children in Glasgow, for example are at greater risk than children living in Renfrewshire. (see table on pages 3-4 for figures).
Groups that are more at risk from poverty than others
1. Lone Parents
In lone parent households, 22% of children are living in poverty, compared to 3% in two parent families. Much of this is due to high levels of worklessness and low out of work benefits: A lone parent with two children, one aged 14 and the other aged five, needs £272 to take them above the after housing costs poverty line. The amount of benefit that this family would get if the parent was out of work (excluding housing costs) is £218, which is well below the poverty line.
Additionally, some lone parents often feel isolated and lack confidence. They may also experience poor physical and mental health and be socially excluded.
2. Large families
Within large families with three or more children, 36% of children are living in poverty, compared to 25% of children from families with two children and 24% of children from one-child families.
Large families can often struggle to meet the costs of school uniform and equipment, and are also at particular risk of going into debt. They also have higher rates of worklessness than parents in smaller families, which is largely due to a lack of affordable childcare.
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Evidence also suggests that mothers of five or more children who do work, earn significantly less than mothers with smaller numbers of children.
3. Families affected by disability
Over a million children living in poverty are affected by disability. Having either an adult or a child with a disability in the family increases the chances of being in poverty. Within families with a disabled child and a disabled adult, there is a 33% risk of child poverty, compared to 25% where no one in the family has a disability.
4. Black and minority ethnic groups
Within Black or Black British households, 44% of children live in poverty. This rises to 55% in Pakistani and Bangladeshi households, compared with 25% in White households.
Worklessness is one of the key drivers for higher poverty rates for some ethnic minority groups. The UK overall employment rate, about 71% of working age adults, falls to 60% when looking at working age adults from minority ethnic groups.
Educational achievement is an important factor in poverty rates amongst ethnic minority groups. The achievement gap between White pupils and their Pakistani and African-Caribbean classmates has almost doubled since the late 1980s.
Activity 2: Homework Task
Based on the evidence provided, draw valid conclusions with regard to the reasons for Child Poverty in the UK.
Once you have analysed the information, present your conclusions in one of the following ways:
1. Short essay 2. Power point presentation 3. Mini Report 4. Poster/Spider Diagram 5. Mind map
REMEMBER: You will have to use this information for revision purposes at a later date. Ensure whatever you choose is completed in enough depth to allow for adequate revision.
Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland- Our Approach 2014-2017
Curriculum for Excellence 2013
Free school meals for all children P1-P3 from January 2015
600 hours of free childcare provision will be offered to every 2 year old from a workless household by August 2014. This will be extended to 27% of all 2 year olds by August 2015 as entitlement is widened to families receiving certain Welfare Benefits.
GIRFEC: Getting it Right for Every Child 2012
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2010
Local Authority (South Lanarkshire Council)
Free school meals for all children P1-P3 from January 2015 (SG)
Curriculum for Excellence 2013 (SG) GIRFEC: Getting it Right for Every Child 2012-2018 (SLC)
Health Improvement Agenda 2011 (SLC)
Activity 3: Homework Task (You will have 2 weeks to complete this task)
Your task is to research and compile notes on each of the Government Policies listed above. All of the policies were implemented with the intention of tackling Child Poverty in the UK. At the end of each note you must draw a conclusion with regards to how effective the policy was in tackling Child Poverty. The following websites will give you a starting point for your research. Remember, that research methods include more than just the internet. E.G. Books, Television, Newspapers etc.
Effectiveness of Government Strategies to tackle Child Poverty in
the UK
Activity 4
Child poverty reduced dramatically between 1998/9-2011/12 when 1.1 million children
were lifted out of poverty (BHC). This reduction is credited in large part to measures that
increased the levels of lone parents working, as well as real and often significant increases in
the level of benefits paid to families with children.
Under current government policies, child poverty is projected to rise from 2012/13 with an expected 600,000 more children living in poverty by 2015/16. This upward trend is expected to continue with 4.7 million children projected to be living in poverty by 2020.
Using evidence from your independent research, class notes and practice answers, draw conclusions regarding the effectiveness of government strategies in tackling Child Poverty in the UK.
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Other Agencies involved in tackling Child Poverty in the UK
Barnardo’s runs over 800 children's services working directly with over 200,000 children, young people and their families every year across the UK.
These case studies tell the stories of some of their work to transform the lives of children, young people and families living in poverty across the UK.
Claire’s story of child poverty in the North East
Claire lives in Hull with her four children Sam (18), Lauren (12), Luke (8) and Ruby (4). Claire's children don't have the same opportunities as many other children.
“It is hard for them to understand why they sometimes miss out on birthday presents, can't afford the right school uniform and struggle to pay for school trips:
[Ruby] knows, she could see me worrying about it. I couldn’t believe it when she said 'don’t worry mummy I won’t have a birthday present this year.' That made me cry so much, I felt so guilty for not being able to give them more.”
One of Claire's children was being bullied at school and started behaving violently, which put a lot of pressure on family life:
His behaviour just got out of control at home – he had a really bad temper and was becoming violent, swearing, breaking things in the house on purpose.
Barnardo's staff provides emotional support and practical tips to help families struggling with poverty to stay together and turn their lives around:
At Barnardo's they started to use some techniques to try and improve things at home. They set up a 'family contract' where they all set out what they were feeling and what their
expectations were for the future [...] The family had 'games nights' as well where they could all spend some quality time together.
Claire is more confident now but she knows there is always someone to talk to at Barnardo's if she needs help or advice:
“Things are still hard, but when I look back, this time last year I sat here and cried buckets. There were more tears in my tea than water! But then the crying got less and less as I got more confident.” “It’s reassuring knowing that staff like Sandra are there at Barnardo’s in case I need help again. We all know what it’s like living in a family – you can have rough patches when you don’t expect them. But at least now I know some techniques for how to get through these times – and there’s always someone at the end of the phone.” “Barnardo’s has given me that confidence to carry on – confidence and hope really. They listen to me when I need it. I don’t feel on my own any more, I feel supported.”
Aims and objectives
The NCB’s vision is of a society in which children and young people contribute, are valued, and their rights respected.
Their mission is to improve children and young people's experiences and life chances, reducing the impact of inequalities.
They have six key aims to achieve by 2015: Aim 1: Reduce inequalities of opportunity in childhood NCB will undertake research, policy influencing and practice development in partnership and with the participation of children and young people. By 2015: 1. They will support a greater use of research, practice evidence and products, which are known to be effective and target inequality in early years, disability, education and learning, play, vulnerable children and health and well-being. 2. They will have identified areas of inequality of opportunity and promoted effective ways to narrow the gap in children and young people's outcomes, including addressing issues that arise from children and young people's position in society and conditions that they experience
Aim 2: Ensure children and young people can use their voice to improve their lives and the lives of those around them Through a range of children and young people's groups NCB will provide opportunities for their involvement in identifying and addressing inequalities through research, policy and practice. By 2015: 1. They will see an increase in children and young people being involved and having their voices heard in for example, health, youth justice and education. 2. They will have developed an evidence base of how engagement with NCB has improved the lives of a cohort of young people (YNCB) Aim 3: Improve perceptions of children and young people NCB public relations, policy and media activity will include consideration of how we address negative and historical perceptions; involve young people, support positive communication and build cross generational understanding. By 2015: 1. They will have increased year on year the positive images and messaging about children and young people generated through NCB public relations, policy and media work. 2. They will have improved the image of specific groups of vulnerable children and young people. Aim 4: Enhance the health, learning, experiences and opportunities of children and young people In order to improve children and young people's experiences and quality of life NCB will work to ensure that policy and practice are child-centred, support participation and reflect the needs and experiences of at risk and disadvantaged children and young people. By 2015: 1. They will have supported improved access to services and activities that have an impact on children and young people's lives. 2. They will see a greater use of evidence based products promoted by NCB to raise awareness of practitioners in meeting children and young people's needs and aspirations 3. They will work to promote and improve the wellbeing, of children and young people, targeting key issues in health, relationships, learning and opportunities, contributing to narrowing the gap and improving aspirations and opportunities
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Aim 5: Encourage the building of positive and supportive relationships for children and young people with families, carers, friends and communities NCB continues to work across practice and service improvement, with children and young people and through partnerships, including the development of demonstration programmes. By 2015: 1. They will have gathered and disseminated evidence about effective workforce development and how that supports relationships between agencies; between frontline workers and the children, young people and families they support. 2. They will have improved uptake and engagement with programmes which engage with local communities, are sensitive to local needs and priorities and show evidence of their impact
Aim 6: Provide leadership through the use of evidence and research to improve policy and practice NCB continues to act as a partner, co-ordinator, sector leader and honest broker working as an innovator in practice and service development and an evidence informed thought leader. By 2015: 1. They will have consolidated our influence on areas that impact on children and young people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged and/or through involvement in policy and development groups. 2. They will be viewed by the children and young people's sector (statutory, voluntary, private and membership) as an innovator in practice and service development and an evidence informed thought leader.
Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform
CPAG in Scotland along with One Parent Families Scotland, The Poverty Alliance and others co-ordinate the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform (SCoWR). SCoWR was set up in 2006 to highlight the concerns of this diverse coalition of organisations in Scotland about the UK government’s Welfare Reform proposals.
To date a wide range of organisations in Scotland, including Oxfam, Children 1st, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Inclusion Scotland, the STUC and Scottish church groups have signed up. All the organisations agree that our social security system should be reformed to reflect the five principles set out in the SCoWR Manifesto for Change.
In February 2014, SCoWR responded to the consultation on the Scottish Government's draft Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill.
In December 2013, SCoWR responded to the Scottish Government Expert Working Group on Welfare's second call for evidence.
In November 2013, SCoWR launched the refreshed campaign manifesto at an event in Edinburgh.
In April 2013, SCoWR responded to the Scottish Government Expert Working Group on Welfare's first call for evidence.
In March 2013, SCoWR wrote to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament's Welfare Reform Committee regarding rights to challenge decisions under the Council Tax reduction scheme introduced from April 2013.
In October 2012, SCoWR responded to the Scottish Government consultation on changes to passported benefits required due to the introduction of universal credit and personal independence payment.
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In June 2012, SCoWR responded to the Scottish Government consultation on replacement arrangements for devolved aspects of the social fund.
In January 2012, SCoWR wrote a letter to Scottish MPs ahead of the return of Welfare Reform Bill to the House of Commons.
In October 2011, SCoWR issued a response to the Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into the proposal to replace DLA with Personal Independence Payments
In October 2011, SCoWR issued a response to the housing benefit in supported accommodation consultation
In September 2011, SCoWR issued a Welfare Reform Bill 2011 Briefing for the House of Lords
In July 2011, SCoWR issued a response to the SSAC consultation on passported benefits.
In June 2011, SCoWR issued a briefing on the Report Stage of the Welfare Reform Bill. They also wrote a letter to MSPs highlighting the challenges that face the Scottish Parliament arising from the UK Welfare Reform Bill.
In February 2011, SCoWR issued their response to the DWP consultation on proposed reforms to DLA.
In March 2010, SCoWR launched their election ‘manifesto’: A Manifesto for Change.
In April 2009, SCoWR issued a briefing in advance of the Lords second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill, calling for a delay in Scotland in the introduction of the Bill’s provisions relating to 'work for your benefit' and the abolition of income support until such time as adequate affordable childcare is in place.
In February 2009, SCoWR issued a briefing supporting amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill tabled by John Roberston MP at Committee Stage in the House of Commons seeking, at the very least, Ministerial commitment not to introduce new “work for your benefit” or “work related activity” conditions until such time as Ministers are satisfied adequate, affordable and flexible childcare exists across Scotland.
In January 2009, SCoWR issued a briefing in advance of the second reading of the Welfare Reform Bill highlighting our concerns that the proposed reforms to welfare provision will fail to tackle poverty and, in some cases, may even exacerbate it.
In October 2008, SCoWR wrote to the Secretary of State for the Department of Work and Pensions at the conclusion of the UK Government’s Green Paper on Welfare Reform ‘No-one written off: Reforming welfare to reward responsibility’.
Previously, SCoWR sent a letter to all Scottish MPs in 2006, lobbying them on three areas of particular concern:
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Compulsion of individuals Adequacy of benefit levels Resources available for reform
In addition a postcard campaign was launched highlighting key concerns about the proposals and urged individuals to use the postcard to contact their MPs. In 2007 the coalition also responded to the Green Paper 'In work, better off'.
The Trussell Trust: Food Banks (New Food Bank opened in Airdrie on July 1st
2014)
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Activity 5
Using the figures above, complete the following questions.
1. How many children were supplied with three days of emergency food during the period April 2011 to March 2012?
2. What % is this of all people who received three days emergency food during this period?
3. How many children received three days emergency food during the period April 2013 to March 2014?
4. What % is this of all people who received three days emergency food during this period?
5. Using the three periods given above, construct a Bar graph showing the number of children who received three days emergency food from the Trussell Trust between April 2011 and March 2014. Ensure your graph has a title and that the axes are labelled.
Activity 6
All of the organisations discussed above try to tackle the issue of Child Poverty in the UK in
their own way. Your task is to decide the order of importance of each organisation. You
must justify your decision using evidence from the notes given above and any additional evidence you come across when engaging in independent research. You can present the information in whatever way you decide as long as it is in a written format. Remember, you must be able to use these notes for revision at a later date.
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Modern Studies
National 6
Homework Task
Case Study of Child Poverty in the UK
Duncanrig Secondary School
Appendix
Additional notes from the BBC Bitesize Revision website
Government schemes to tackle poverty
The Work Programme
The Work Programme brings together private companies and voluntary organisations at a
local level to try and meet the needs of individuals looking for work. Job seekers are given a
programme advisor and he/she offers advice on a wide range of issues such as benefits,
education and job opportunities. In many cases the support can be of a very practical nature
such as improving a CV or advice on childcare.
Universal Credit
Under Universal Credit, which began being rolled out nationally in October 2013, there is a
cap of £26,000 paid to a household to ensure that those out of work do not receive more than
those in work. The new system is due to be completed by 2017. In return for receiving
Universal Credit, those unemployed must look for work or take steps towards it. This may
include preparing a CV, attending training courses, applying for suggested vacancies or
registering with a recruitment agency. In most cases they must also be available and willing
to immediately take up work and attend interviews to discuss plans and opportunities for
returning to the workplace. Universal Credit claimants must accept a claimant commitment
and if they refuse they will not be entitled to Universal Credit. If the claimant does not do
what he or she has committed to do, they will face tough penalties such as their benefit being
reduced or withdrawn for up to three years.
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Child Benefit
Child benefit is a tax-free payment that is aimed at helping parents cope with the cost of
bringing up children. However, changes to the rules came into force in January 2013 and all
parents are no longer entitled to child benefit. Families where one parent is earning more than
£50,000 a year cannot claim the full amount. Those who are eligible for the full payment can
claim £20.50 a week for an eldest or only child and £13.55 a week for each other child. The
payments apply to all children aged under 16 or who stay on at school. Child Benefit will
continue to be available in addition to Universal Credit, but payments for children are now
means-tested.
The Early Years Framework
It is now widely accepted that the first three years of a child’s life are critical to its life-long
development. Therefore the government now tries to intervene early on with families where
children are living in poverty and/or have parents with drug, alcohol or emotional issues. The
Scottish Government approach focuses on the Early Years Framework. This is an attempt to
veer away from a reactive, crisis management approach towards prevention, early
identification and early intervention in the lives of vulnerable children. In 2011, the Scottish
Government appointed a Minister for Youth and Women's Employment and a number of
initiatives have been set up to tackle the problem.
More Choices, More Chances
More Choices, More Chances is the Scottish Government’s strategy for reducing the number
of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
It demands action from a range of agencies and private businesses to help tackle the NEET
problems.
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Workforce Plus
Workforce Plus aims to provide specific help for the long term unemployed, especially those
who have particular barriers in getting and holding down a job. It offers support to
individuals and employers by providing more personal plans.
16+ Learning Choices
16+ aims to give every young person moving into the Senior Phase of the Curriculum for
Excellence the guarantee of an offer of post-16 learning. Schools and local authorities are to
work in partnership to identify and track vulnerable young people in order to provide them
with a study offer. If that learning ends before a person is 18, Skills Development Scotland
will try to find them options to study.
Opportunities for All
Under Opportunities for All, every 16 to 19 year old in Scotland will be offered a learning or
training place in education or a Modern Apprenticeship if they are not already in a job. The
Scottish Government will provide 46,000 training places including 25,000 Modern
Apprenticeship opportunities in each of the next five years. It will also prioritise provision in
colleges for 16 to 19 year olds and retain the Education Maintenance Allowance to provide
financial support to those from lower income backgrounds to stay on at school.
