What counts as child poverty in the UK? Poll discussion

Former_MSE_Dan · 23 November 2010 at 4:33PM

Poll Started 23 November 2010:

What counts as child poverty in the UK?

We’re working with Save the Children on this, and it’s a tougher question than you think. The EU defines it as a household with under 60% of median average income – yet that means as society gets richer, what counts as poverty rises too, which could lead to some relatively rich poor people. Others say no food, shelter or clothing is a better, absolute measure.

Please select ALL you think count as poverty

A. A lack of food, shelter or clothing
B. Family income below £12,700 a year (60% of the average)
C. A home with no heating
D. Parents can’t afford to save £10+ a month for rainy days/retirement
E. A child without their own bed
F. No access to school trips (though often schools will subsidise)
G. A family income below £10,500 a year (50% of the average)
H. Parents regularly behind with paying household bills
I. No TV
J. A child sharing a room with someone of different gender
K. No annual holiday
L. No laptop or internet access
M. Kids that get free school meals

Please vote here, or click 'post reply' to discuss below. Thanks

Budget_mum · 23 November 2010 at 6:04PM

"L. No laptop or internet access"

At the time of posting 57 people voted this as child poverty. It beggars belief.

Kimitatsu · 23 November 2010 at 6:07PM

Budget_mum wrote: »

"L. No laptop or internet access"

At the time of posting 57 people voted this as child poverty. It beggars belief.

But the majority of secondary schools ASSUME that a child has internet access and set homework accordingly. We live in a very rural area, our nearest library is 8 miles away, the bus leaves 10 minutes after school has finished.....no internet access would seriously affect their schooling.

"poverty" is not just about clothes and a roof over their head, it is much broader than that and covers how their future life can be affected.

Hezzy · 23 November 2010 at 6:22PM

My mum raised my brother and I on an annual income of less than £12,000. I grew up being extremely grateful of what I got, despite not having the 'cool' toys my friends had. From what I remember, I had a very happy childhood...looking back, still don't regard it as 'poverty'. My mum must be awesome at budgetting

popsicat · 23 November 2010 at 6:51PM

One I struggle with is

A child sharing a room with someone of different gender

If you are an owner occupier of a two bed house you take your chance when you have a second child

If the family is on benefits and renting I believe they can get rehoused once the children are a certain age

Personal choice can lead to poverty using this definition!

keycamp-reveller · 23 November 2010 at 7:34PM

Kimitatsu wrote: »

But the majority of secondary schools ASSUME that a child has internet access and set homework accordingly. We live in a very rural area, our nearest library is 8 miles away, the bus leaves 10 minutes after school has finished.....no internet access would seriously affect their schooling.

"poverty" is not just about clothes and a roof over their head, it is much broader than that and covers how their future life can be affected.

But it is not poverty, is it? It may be a slight disadvantage but it definitely is not poverty. This can be circumvented as libraries are open on Saturdays too

MSE_Martin · 23 November 2010 at 8:50PM

Budget_mum wrote: »

"L. No laptop or internet access"

At the time of posting 57 people voted this as child poverty. It beggars belief.

That certainly counts as 'disadvantaged' in my book - whether it is poverty is a tougher question.

Yet its far more important educationally than a TV (and can be used as the same) - in this modern world peopel without web access are disenfranchised in many ways

luxor4t · 23 November 2010 at 10:53PM

In Wales school trips tend not to be subsidised at all - due to extremely tight budgets and a noticeable funding gap http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8483030.stm

forever_skint · 23 November 2010 at 11:31PM

I think the reason for poverty in a lot of cases is bad debt. Apparently, my children are living below the poverty line even though we both work which I think is hilarious because they want for ...... absolutely nothing!!

ka7e · 24 November 2010 at 12:51AM

Sadly, it's not always about money. I see kids going to school with no warm coat and inappropriate shoes, being bought a packet of crisps and a fizzy drink for breakfast - while Mum buys her £6.50 packet of ciggies for the day! I personally have known kids that wore the same clothes until they were filthy rags, the clothes were then binned and replaced as their Mum said she couldn't afford a washing machine. On the other hand I know kids that never seem to wear the same clothes twice, have many pairs of shoes and coats for all occasions, yet are definitely malnourished.

We live in a society where "Food Technology" (which in one local school has kids designing a new product and packaging for McDonalds!) has replaced "Home Economics", and youngsters lack the most basic education in finance, cooking, childcare and hygiene.

Neddles · 24 November 2010 at 1:47AM

I find the 'less than two pairs of shoes' bit odd.

Until my children started school (2 out of 3 of them so far), they only had/needed one pair of shoes. Even now, the older ones have a pair of school shoes and a pair of trainers. When well fitting shoes are so expensive and they grow out of them quickly, coupled with the fact that they ought not to be handed down to siblings, I'm not buying them more shoes than they can wear.

What counts as child poverty in the UK? Poll discussion

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