Recent statistics have laid bare a troubling reality for families in Wrexham and Flintshire, with nearly 10,000 children reportedly living in poverty in the previous year. Data from the Department for Work and Pensions reveals that approximately 4,884 children in Wrexham and 4,933 children in Flintshire, all aged under 16, were living in relative poverty up to March 2023.
This equates to around 19.8% of children in Wrexham and 18.1% in Flintshire experiencing the hardships of poverty, with their family income falling below 60% of the average household income before accounting for housing costs. These families also relied on child benefit and at least one other household benefit to make ends meet.
While the figures in Wrexham saw a slight decrease from the previous year’s 21.3%, they remained on par with the UK-wide rate of 20.1%. Conversely, in Flintshire, the percentage dropped from 18.7% to below the national average, indicating a positive trend, albeit a modest one.
Of particular concern is the number of children below school age affected by poverty, with 1,337 in Wrexham and 1,358 in Flintshire falling into this vulnerable category.
The CEO of Barnardo’s highlighted the detrimental impact of poverty on children’s well-being, asserting that deprived circumstances deprive them of essential experiences crucial for healthy development. The charity called on the government to take decisive action, advocating for policies aimed at alleviating child poverty, such as ending the controversial two-child limit on benefit payments and ensuring struggling families can afford basic necessities like food and household bills.
The Children’s Commissioner for England expressed shock at the figures, emphasizing the urgent need for welfare reform. Proposed measures include automatic enrolment for free school meals and expanded access to free breakfast clubs, stressing that no child should endure poverty in one of the world’s wealthiest nations.
Echoing these sentiments, the chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group highlighted the pivotal role of political leadership in addressing the plight of the country’s most vulnerable children. The group urged all parties to commit to abolishing the two-child limit and bolstering child benefits, framing anything less as a disservice to the nation’s youth.
In response to the concerns raised, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions acknowledged the challenges exacerbated by recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. The government pointed to intervention measures, citing the implementation of significant cost-of-living support packages and benefit increases aimed at preventing millions from falling into poverty.
Looking ahead, the government plans to further bolster support by uprating benefits and pensions, with an extension of the Household Support Fund to provide essential assistance to those most in need.
As communities grapple with the enduring effects of poverty, the call for concerted action to uplift disadvantaged families and safeguard the well-being of vulnerable children resonates louder than ever. In the midst of economic uncertainties, the commitment to addressing child poverty remains a moral imperative for society as a whole.
