Child poverty in working households up by 48% in the South West since 2010, says TUC

The number of South West children growing up in poverty in working households has shot up by 48% since 2010, according to new TUC research published today (Monday).

The analysis – carried out for the TUC by Landman Economics – estimates that 245,500 South West children with working parents will be below the official breadline in 2018.

This is an increase of 79,800 since the start of the decade.

Public sector pay restrictions and in-work benefit cuts

The analysis shows that 57,100 children (with working parents) in the region have been pushed into poverty as a result of the government’s in-work benefit cuts and public sector pay restrictions.

The TUC found that other key factors behind the 79,800 rise in child poverty include:

• Weak wage growth
• The spread of insecure work
• Population growth
• The increase in working families

Household incomes

The research shows the impact of public sector pay restrictions and in-work benefit cuts on household incomes.

The analysis reveals that:

• Families where both parents work in the public sector are the biggest losers from the government’s pay restrictions and benefit changes. Their average household income has fallen by £83 a week in real terms.
• Households where one parent works in the public sector and another works in the private sector have lost, on average, £53 a week.
• Households with private sector workers only have seen their incomes fall by £31 a week on average.

Thousands to march in London

The figures are published as tens of thousands of workers prepare to march in London this Saturday as part of the TUC’s ‘A New Deal for Working People’ demonstration.

The Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn will address a rally in Hyde Park, that will also feature speeches by TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady and frontline workers.

TUC Regional Secretary for the South West Nigel Costley said:

“Child poverty in working households has shot up since 2010.

“Years of falling incomes and benefit cuts have had a terrible human cost in the region. Thousands of parents are struggling to feed and clothe their kids.

“The government is in denial about how many working families just can’t make ends meet. That's why people from across the South West will be travelling to London this Saturday to demand a new deal for working people.

“We need ministers to boost the minimum wage now, and use the social security system to make sure no child grows up in a family struggling to get by.”