Nearly half of the UK’s most vulnerable kids live in destitution, a shock survey reveals.
It says 27,000 are going without the essentials to eat, stay warm and clean.
Children’s charity Buttle UK spoke to 1,000 health and care workers who look after 60,000 youngsters.
The figures – published in its annual State of Child Poverty report – have increased by 9% since 2021.
Charity chief Joseph Howes says the situation for at-risk children is getting “progressively worse.”
He told The Sunday Mirror: “The cyclical nature of financial difficulty, and its impact on children’s mental health and educational outcomes, is only going to get worse as this crisis persists.”
It is all too familiar for one mum of six. The 46-year-old is in temporary accommodation after fleeing an abusive relationship.
She had to quit her job in social media and now relies on Universal Credit and disability benefits.
“We left with just a suitcase and so the kids didn’t have any clothing or toys and we had to start all over again,” she told us.
“At times I question if I should have left the relationship because I can’t provide the children with the food and comfort that they desperately need to feel secure.”
The family relies on a local community pantry but a diet of mainly canned food is impacting their health.
She added: “We’re grateful for the foodbank, but it’s mostly unhealthy and processed stuff which is not helpful when you’ve got severely traumatised kids who need regular proper meals with fruit and vegetables.”
The Trussell Trust says 3.7 million UK kids face food poverty daily.
Mr Howes called for a strategic approach from ministers, adding: “If we are to avoid a lost generation, we have to see a holistic plan, one that combines financial support to the most vulnerable.”
Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck, chair of The Child of The North APPG targeting child inequality, described the situation as “heartbreaking.”
The MP for South Shields added: “Growing up in poverty used to be considered unusual but now it’s the norm for four million children living under this Tory government.
“Ministers have done nothing to stem the tide of this and need to address the root cause which is that work should pay — and under this Conservative government, it doesn’t.”
