Almost 43,000 children in the South West with a parent working in the public sector are now living in poverty according to new TUC analysis published today (Thursday).
Since 2010, the region has seen over 15,000 more children (+55%) fall into poverty since 2010.
The TUC research also shows that by April 2018, 1 in 7 children in the UK (550,000) in public sector working families will be living below the official poverty line as a result of the public sector pay cap, tax and benefit changes.
The analysis shows:
Separate TUC analysis shows that holding down public servants’ pay reduced spending power in the South West region by £3.9 billion since 2010.
The average South West public sector worker today earns £2608 less than if their pay had risen in line with inflation (CPI).
TUC Regional Secretary for the South West, Nigel Costley said:
“The government’s pay restrictions and in-work benefit cuts have caused needless hardship all over the UK.
“Public servants shouldn’t have to worry about feeding or clothing their kids, yet many are struggling to afford even the basics.
Ministers must give nurses, teachers and other public sector workers the pay rise they have earned or more families will continue falling into poverty.”
Number of UK children living in poverty with public sector parent
Household type |
Number of children in poverty under 2010 system |
Number of children in poverty by 2018 under government policies |
Extra children in poverty by 2018 (000s) |
Extra children in poverty by 2018 (%) |
Public sector workers only |
217,512 |
321,262 |
103,750 |
48% |
Public and private sector workers |
180,771 |
236,233 |
55,462 |
31% |
TOTAL |
398,283 |
557,495 |
159,212 |
40% |
Increase in number of children living in poverty with public sector parent since 2010 (nation/region)
Region |
Number of children in poverty under 2010 system |
Number of children in poverty by 2018 under government policies |
Extra children in poverty by 2018 (000s) |
Extra children in poverty by 2018 (%) |
North East |
13,025 |
17,792 |
4,767 |
37% |
North West |
34,289 |
51,785 |
17,496 |
51% |
East Midlands |
27,845 |
41,884 |
14,039 |
50% |
West Midlands |
29,354 |
45,297 |
15,943 |
54% |
East of England |
38,362 |
49,712 |
11,350 |
30% |
London |
82,660 |
100,350 |
17,690 |
21% |
South East |
48,342 |
63,437 |
15,095 |
31% |
South West |
27,749 |
42,951 |
15,202 |
54% |
Yorkshire |
34,965 |
49,415 |
14,450 |
41% |
England |
336,591 |
462,623 |
126,032 |
37% |
Scotland |
26,654 |
42,582 |
15,928 |
60% |
Wales |
21,341 |
31,231 |
9,890 |
46% |
Northern Ireland |
13,697 |
21,059 |
7,362 |
53% |
Weekly cash loss from government policies
Household type |
Overall weekly loss |
Public sector workers only |
-£83.03 |
Public and private sector workers |
-£53.26 |
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