Levels of child poverty ‘will continue to rise’ for disadvantaged families in Wales

Even before the pandemic, more than 1 in 4 children in Wales were living in poverty, but evidence gained from research conducted by a number of organisations in Wales has suggested that levels of child poverty have and will continue to rise as a direct result of the pandemic.

Responding to the survey by charity Children in Wales, 86% said that income and employment was an issue for the children and families they worked with.

Nearly half of all participants said that food insecurity is an issue for the children they work with, and nearly a fifth noting that some children they worked with had not eaten for entire days.

Just 29% responded that they thought Welsh schools had sufficient resources to support digital learning for vulnerable children.

A number of respondents reporting increased feelings of shame, embarrassment and stress amongst families, particularly those who were now having to use foodbanks.

Describing the situation as a ‘crisis’, one respondent noted “Even children who live in poverty do not see it, as there are so many worse off than them.”