1 in 5 people in absolute poverty - but it could have been worse say the Tories So that's alright?

[cakeorwine]

Absolute poverty: UK sees biggest rise for 30 years (bbc.com)

Steep prices rises, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, meant hundreds of thousands more people fell into absolute poverty.The figure jumped to 12 million in 2022-2023, a rise of 600,000.This means the rate of absolute poverty in the UK now stands at 18% - a rise of 0.78 percentage points.

Absolute poverty is the measure used by the prime minister when describing the government's record.Even more families would have fallen into absolute poverty had it not been for government support like the Cost of Living payments.Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride - whose department compiled the figures - pointed to the government's "biggest cost of living package in Europe, worth an average of £3,800 per household".The government says that without these measure the increase would have been three times worse.

True - if the Government had not supported people with the energy package, then it would have been worse.

But 1 in 5 people? That's not ok
1 in 4 children are in absolute poverty

Someone who is in "absolute" or "relative" poverty may not be able to afford a living standard that might be expected in a rich economy like the UK.

But that does not mean they need a food bank or are unable to heat their home.When you look at these types of poverty, the increases are more stark."Official income statistics have understated the true increase in deprivation during this period" says Sam Ray-Chaudhuri of think tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies.He points out that the rate of food insecurity rose from 8% of individuals to 11% and the proportion unable to heat their home more than doubled from 4% to 11%.Even pensioners saw an increase in the number unable to heat their home adequately, even though the headline measure of poverty fell slightly.

I guess there are a lot of people who are doing ok, thankyou.

But we are supposed to be a "rich" country. However, it's incredibly expensive to live here.

It would be interesting to see how those statistics change around the country and with age and other demographics.

So their governments have been doing better than 14 years of Tory?

I have to admit I’m unsure about how they work out absolute poverty. I suspect we’d fall in that category but honestly though I am frugal but we live in a nice wam house, eat well, lots of seasonal fruit and veg, protein, low upf. I drive a decent car, no debt apart from a low mortgage.

According to that report and the way they work it out, I am living in poverty. Except I’m not in poverty, or anywhere close to it. People who have a safe warm roof over their heads, enough food to eat and access to education and healthcare are not in poverty.

Until they start defining poverty as actual poverty, I can’t take it seriously.

I used to be a civil servant. I left in 2008. At the time, I was on £26k. I know there have been little to no pay rises since I left, but I was stunned to learn recently that the payscale for my grade is still sitting at £23-£30k almost 16 years later.

What many people on here are describing is destitution. You'll be happy to know there is also an increasing number of people living in destitution. Unless one also wants to redefine that.

Personal experience dear.

There were also a lot of children, certainly in our area, who were provided with laptops and internet in lockdown which were never turned on or used. Throwing a small fortune at an issue doesn’t necessarily solve it.

Giving parents money doesn’t mean children get fed; giving food vouchers might, but apparently that takes away parental dignity and choice [to not feed their kids].

Not sure their governments had anything to do with lower birth rates, but yes, the Conservatives have failed to control immigration and invest successfully in fossil fuels. Opposition parties may have had a small amount of responsibility in all of those issues too.

Ah yes, where you live in the country definitely affects poverty. Apparently families on £100k in Surrey are in poverty 🙄

Are you saying immigration caused the increase in poverty?

Please don't call me dear.

Why are you tagging me?

You might realise that I am not ok with this - which is why this thread was started.

Could we perhaps also redefine competent so it includes Sunak's government?

No, if you’d bothered to read the thread you’d see the context; comparing poverty rates in countries with lower birth rates. Higher immigration causes a shortage of housing stock, leading to greater competition and higher housing costs. I guess in a round-about way that will throw some struggling families below the poverty line, but tenuous to imply it’s a direct cause of poverty.

Please don’t call me obtuse. Personal experience is entirely valid and relevant to the conversation.

Calling somebody obtuse is not patronising.

Calling a grown person dear is definitely deliberately belittling and patronising. I'm not your dear.