Close to 40% of children in the UK are predicted to be living in poverty in two years’ time (2021) according to a recent report by the UN and yet we are one of the most affluent country’s in the world. How can that be?
Philip Alston, the United Nations rapporteur on extreme poverty, in his final report on the impact austerity has on life in the UK, accused UK ministers of “systematic immiseration of a significant part of the British population”.
The report makes depressing reading – we know how child poverty impacts children’s long term development from lower education results to poorer work prospect to shorter life expectancy – what the long term impact will be on British society and commerce over the coming years is uncertain.
The report confirms how many families are turning to charities to help out in extreme crisis – charities such as Miracles. We support children and their families living in poverty and help them through crisis situations - from halting evictions to paying utility bills to covering the cost of travel to and from hospital to be with one of their children (full list of our support services are here).
We can’t end child poverty on our own, but we can be part of the solution. Help us help those in real need and support our work. You can fundraise for us by entering one of our events or take us on as your charity of choice at work or your children’s school. Or you can simply donate.
A full version of the UN report can be read here.