Every Child Deserves A Childhood - Help End Child Poverty

Firstly, thank you for opening my blog, giving every child in the U.K equal opportunities in life is something I feel needs to happen. Many people don’t think poverty in the U.K is a problem, but it is, and a big one too. Many people don’t think poverty in the U.K is a problem, but it is, and a big one too. One voluntary organisation that helps a lot is the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), and I am keen to support their life-changing work.          

And here is the reasons they are unfortunately needed. Approximately 3.6 million children live in poverty in the U.K. That is over 1 in 4. Poverty includes being cold, going hungry, not being able to go out with friends and not being able to go on holiday for more than one week a year etc. Also, children receiving free school meals achieve 1.7 grades lower at GCSE level. This impacts on length of life - a study shows professionals live, on average, eight years longer than unskilled workers. I think it is appalling that not having a proper childhood makes your life noticeably shorter.

Here is Rachel’s story (her name has been changed to respect her privacy). She was a single parent with two children, aged nine and seven living in London. She had experienced domestic violence throughout her marriage, then found herself homeless from paying off debts and demands from family members. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) refused her benefits stating that she should have had savings above the allowable limit, and also incorrectly stating she had spent her remaining savings in order to claim benefits.

Rachel’s adviser, a woman’s aid centre contacted the Child Poverty Action Group’s (CPAG) advice line, having lodged an appeal against the DWP’s decision. An independent tribunal would decide whether she was legally entitled to benefits, and the judge had made detailed directions seeking more information and requested the legal arguments on which Rachel was relying. Although the Woman’s aid centre are specialists in social security law, they felt they needed the support that CPAG could provide. They provided a detailed argument for use at the tribunal, and provided a stronger presentation of the facts. Rachel won her appeal, and was awarded housing and income support benefits. This enabled her to support herself and her family, and have a stable family home. That was the first step towards living a poverty free life for herself and her children. With your support, CPAG can carry on providing expert advice to those who need it and create a society where every child has full chance to shine.
 

 









 
Children living in poor conditions.
    
Thanks again for reading my blog, please leave a comment with your thoughts. It would be great if you could answer these questions as well.

1. Had you heard of CPAG before?
2. Were you aware of the amount of children living in poverty and the effects of it?
3. Would you now be prepared to help CPAG in giving every child equal opportunities?

If you do post a response, please can you tell me where you come from- your county if in the U.K, your country if not the U.K.

Thanks again
Charlotte