Official figures show one in six children in Mendip living in poverty - here's what you need to know | Local News | News | Wells Nub News

More than 10 per cent of children in Mendip are living in absolute poverty, according to figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions.

And as shocking as these figures are - a UK charity places the number even higher.

According to the DWP, 16 per cent - or one in six - children in the district are living in what is known as 'relative' poverty. That's 3,196 children.

Of these children, 2,419 were in absolute poverty. This means their family's income was lower than 60% of the median income established in 2010-2011. This figure accounts for (12.1%) of kids in the area.

The figures were up from 13.1% of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 and up from 14.2% seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

But alarmingly, even these figures are lower than those provided by Action for Children. According to their research, 24.1% of children - or 4,211 - in the Wells constituency are classed as living poverty in 2020/21.

What is meant by child poverty in the UK?

Households whose income was below 60% of average household income and claimed child benefit and at least one other household benefit are living in relative poverty, according to the government.

Absolute poverty, on the other hand, means ar family's income was lower than 60% of the median income established in 2010-2011.

But the definition of absolute poverty adopted by the UN means someone cannot afford basic essentials like food, clothing and housing.

This measure makes it easier to compare conditions between countries – as the minimum income to keep up with basic living standards differs depending on where you are.

Poverty can present in several different ways. If parents are struggling to afford food and rely on food banks, that is an indicator of poverty. Having to go without heating and electricity, facing childcare costs higher than earnings, or living in insecure housing because families can't keep up with the rent, are all indicators of poverty. It can affect every part of a child's life.

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) said: "A child can have three meals a day, warm clothes and go to school, but still be poor because her parents don't have enough money to ensure she can live in a warm home, have access to a computer to do her homework, or go on the same school trips as her classmates."

What's being said about the figures?

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns, Action for Children

The charity Action for Children accused ministers of knowing what works, given the action taken during the pandemic, but "choosing not to do it", and said help has been "snatched away" from families.

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at the charity said: "It's astonishing that, despite the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and the prospect of rising child poverty for years to come, the Government is not targeting help for children in low-income families. There is so much more this Government can do in these tough times to stop those with the least from suffering the most.

"Poverty destroys life chances. You cannot level up the country with millions of children in poverty so it's vital the Government brings forward a credible plan to reduce poverty."

Becca Lyon, head of child poverty at Save the Children, said kids growing up in poverty often grow up too fast as they are exposed to concerns about money and paying bills.

Ms Lyon added: "This can leave lasting scars. Families need a proper benefits system that protects them from hardship, and means children can grow up without having to know what the inside of a food bank looks like."

What's caused the rise?

The rise in figures is believed to be down to number of factors, including the cost of living crisis, a post-pandemic society and Brexit.

Inflation is at a 40-year high and the cost of household essentials like food, energy and fuel have rocketed. Energy bills increased by over 50% in April 2022 and from October the average household will be paying £2,500 a year for energy.

In Somerset, living in a rural county means that basic costs like fuel are already higher due to the distance from work, school or essential services, and a recent study from the Countryside Alliance found that rural households spend nearly £800 a year more on fuel than people who live in urban areas. Many of us also rely on more expensive modes of heating for their homes such as oil-fired boilers, where costs have also grown significantly in the last year.

What effects can living in poverty have on children?

Living in poverty can have a serious impact on a child's well-being. Some report feeling ashamed and unhappy and worry about their parents. Disadvantaged children are 4.5 times more likely to develop severe mental health problems by age 11 than their well-off peers, a Millennium Cohort study showed.

Kids in inadequate housing have been shown to be more at risk of respiratory illnesses and meningitis. Those in the most disadvantaged areas can expect 20 fewer years of good health in their lives than children in places with more resources.

Research carried out five years ago showed that just a third of children who claimed free school meals achieved five or more good GCSE grades compared to two-thirds of children whose families are comfortable, while research by the Education Policy Institute showed the attainment gap between rich and poor classmates started widening prior to the pandemic.

Poverty even puts kids at greater risk of being groomed or exploited by criminal gangs, according to Anne Longfield, the former Children's Commissioner for England.

What do the Government say?

A Government spokesperson said they are "committed to eradicating poverty and supporting those in need, and our actions have helped ensure there are nearly two million fewer people in absolute poverty than there were in 2009-10".

They said the latest figures "reflect the country coming out of the pandemic and accompanying rising prices" and that record levels of support have been provided through cost-of-living payments, the Household Support Fund and the Energy Price Guarantee which "will continue to hold down people's energy bills".

What help is out there if I am struggling?

Glastonbury community fridge

Community fridges:

Glastonbury Community Fridge

Shepton Mallet Community Fridge

Warm Spaces:

Warm spaces are initiatives set up to create places within the local community where people can come together, socialise, stay warm and in some cases have hot refreshments:

Crispin Hall
Crispin Community Centre
Salvation Army
SWCD Churches
Street Library
Strode College
Millfield (Happy Healthy Holidays)
Brookside Academy Forest School (Wilderness Warriors)
Red Brick Building
Houndwood Community Group
Victoria Club
Strode Theatre hosts Warm Places
St John's Church, Glastonbury - Talking Cafe
St Benedict's Church, Glastonbury - Warm Spaces and community lunch

Help and advice

Citizens Advice Somerset helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice. They have produced a Cost of Living Increase Guide and there's a helpful page on their website here which includes information on grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills.

Visit: www.citizensadvicesomerset.org.uk
Call: 0808 2787842

Community Council for Somerset will put you in touch with your Village and Community Agent who provide confidential, practical community-based solutions for people in Somerset.

Visit: www.somersetagents.org/
Call: 01823 331222

Somerset County Council's website has some helpful links to help and support people through the rising cost of living. And their Household Support Fund is designed to provide short-term urgent financial help to Somerset residents who are struggling to afford household essentials such as food, bills and other household items including beds and white goods.

Visit: www.somerset.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/cost-of-living-support-in-somerset/
Call: 0300 123 2224

StepChange offers free, online debt advice and money guidance, with the widest range of debt solutions to help, no matter what you're dealing with.

Visit: www.stepchange.org

Age UK Somerset offer free and confidential information and advice service for older people, their families and carers, and can help older people with fuel costs and benefits advice.

Visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/somerset/our-services/information-and-advice/
Call: 01823 345610
Email: [email protected]

Spark Somerset have developed a network of Warm Welcome spaces where people can find warmth, company and support amid the cost-of-living crisis

Visit: https://sparksomerset.org.uk/find-warm-welcome

Disability Grants has a directory of grants for people with disabilities.

Visit: https://www.disability-grants.org/
Email: [email protected]

Mind in Somerset can help if you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the cost-of-living crisis.

Visit: www.mindinsomerset.org.uk

Turn2us has a directory of grants for individuals as well as a helpful Benefits Calculator so you can check if you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to.