February 26, 2024
Benefit stress driving child poverty
The Salvation Army says beneficiaries need help, not penalties, if child poverty is to improve.
Spokesperson Ian Hutson says the rising cost of living means families are going without household essentials, and many are turning to the Sallies for help.
One recent case was a former truck driver and solo dad who’s on a benefit because of a back injury.
“He showed us his budgets, and we could see that by looking at his normal income, it just wasn’t enough. We couldn’t see how he could make it work. And that kind of stress that the parents live under transmits itself to the children,” Mr Hutson say.
With the economy predicted to get worse, more child poverty is inevitable – and the government has to consider urgent action to help those who are unable to provide adequate food, shelter and other basic needs for their children.