One million UK children experienced ‘horrifying levels of destitution’

More than 1 million children in the United Kingdom (UK) had experienced ‘horrifying levels of destitution’ in 2022, according to a new report. Children in the UK were unable to meet their basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean, and fed.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), UK children experiencing destitution has almost tripled  — an increase of 186% — since 2017. The study by Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) highlighted extreme poverty in the United Kingdom.

What is destitution?

Destitution means when a person experiences extreme poverty that one lacks the means to provide for oneself. Destitution happens when people could not afford to adequately feed, clothe or clean themselves. It is called the extreme level of poverty.

In this scenario, people lack basic necessities like clothing, heating, shelter, or food because their income is extremely low. 

UK witnesses ‘shameful increase’ in destitution

The United Kingdom witnessed a ‘shameful increase’ in destitution last year. More than one million children were affected by destitution last year. According to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, an estimated 3.8 million people were suffering destitution in 2022.

The rate of destitution was highest in the East London Borough of Newham. The report noted that low incomes, rising cost of living, and high levels of debt affected poor families in the UK. 

Paul Kissack, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said, “Such severe hardship should have no place in the UK and the British public will not stand for destitution on this scale.”

More than 1 million children experienced destitution

In an estimated 1.8 million UK households, more than 1 million children experienced destitution. Half of destitute households received less than £85 a week after housing costs. A quarter of destitute households reported no income at all.

Prof Suzanne Fitzpatrick of Heriot-Watt University, the co-author of the study, said, “There must be immediate action from all levels of government to tackle this social emergency.”

Children were unable to get essential items because people simply did not buy at all. The shocking report is that one in 10 destitute households included working adults. London had the highest destitution levels last year.

Recently, a report noted that UK workers would be poorer in 2024 than in 2019. UK workers’ living standards will worsen by next year because they are set to suffer the worst fall in incomes over a five-year period since the 1950s, according to a leading thinktank, Resolution Foundation.