The level of child deprivation is on par with the “darkest days” of the economic crash, with one in five children currently living below the poverty line.
The new report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) states that inflation has disproportionately affected those on lower incomes, but universal welfare increases have largely not kept pace with rising costs.
“In real terms, they translate as welfare cuts or freezes when measured against inflation,” the report said.
Dr Barra Roantree, one author of the report, said it’s “hard to see” how the government can meet its own child poverty reduction targets without major reform, and he joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.
We also spoke to National Policy Manager at Barnardos, Stephen Moffatt, to get their reaction to this harrowing report.