Citizens Advice report on child poverty

The plight of children living in poverty has been highlighted in a new report released by Citizens Advice.

It includes several first-person accounts from parents that are struggling with the rising cost of living and debt.

A number of them describe how they are forced to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table.

Families are living in unfit housing that pose a health risk to their children and those who can only afford second-hand school uniforms are likely to experience bullying, the report notes.

“All children deserve to grow up in an environment where they can prosper, where the family can afford the essentials that most of us take for granted,” commented chief executive David Harker.

The report outlines several steps that the government should take to combat this issue.

Meanwhile, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recently offered struggling households some debt help with a new £1 billion package designed to help with energy bills.