Rising Child Poverty: A DISGRACE in the 21st Century!

Now although I am a historian and still passionate about this subject I studied at university, this is not a history lesson. But I do feel that for those who may not know the background, I will briefly explain. Joseph Rowntree was a 19th century philanthropist and businessman  (those yummy chocolates!). What is significant here is that he was committed to improving social welfare for his employees. Rowntree was concerned about poverty and its causes. His work and legacy live on and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation carries on research into poverty. If you want to find out more about his work, click these links:

http://www.rowntreesociety.org.uk/rowntree-history-2/
https://www.jrf.org.uk/

As already mentioned, Joseph Rowntree Foundation is concerned with inspiring change through  research, so that's is concerned with working at government level. But ok, that's the history bit finished with for now.

For those who follow the news, there has been a lot of coverage about the rising numbers in child poverty. Here is the full article from Sky News:

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-at-turning-point-in-fight-against-poverty-11156063

What is the point of this discussion? Well I want to use my blog, which is my platform to express opinions and in this case, my disgust and outrage that in 21st century Britain, families can't afford to feed themselves and food banks are on the rise!  Campbell Robb, who is chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, points the blame at political choices and raising inflation which is hitting those at the bottom. I wholeheartedly agree with him. Yes, it is important for younger people to buy their own homes (recent budget), but at what cost? Less money for these families? My bugbear is the government's obsession with building more homes when there are many homes lying empty around the country! And Brexit! (no, no I am not talking about that).
I was speaking with a friend the other day who told me that although both she and her husband are working they live on the bread line. I think this is referred to as the 'working poor?' When I shop at Tesco, my heart sinks when I see the food bank volunteers approach me with a list of items. Let me get this straight, I always, always buy an item (or two) to put to donate. But I don't remember seeing food banks two or three years ago. I am sure they must have been there, but not as regularly as they are now.
I fear for the future. For families and others for whom the situation is only going to get worse. Although I have plenty more to say, I will finish with Campbell Robb's words echoing in my ears:

' "This is a very real warning sign that our hard-fought progress is in peril." '
(Quote Campbell Robb, Sky).

More on Poverty: if you are interested in finding out more, check out this social mobility report from Sky which highlights the best and worst places to grow up.

https://news.sky.com/story/social-mobility-in-uk-a-postcode-lottery-report-finds-11147331