Is there such a thing as "severe poverty" in the UK?

[Niceguy2]

I'm being serious. I'm not talking about poor. Obviously there are plenty of people who either are poor or think they are. But I mean severe poverty.

I just read the Save the Children child poverty report which claims that 1.6million children live in severe poverty. And they define "severe poverty" as a family of 1 child who has an income of less than £7000 (or 2 kids with income < £12k).

But a quick tot up of benefits tells me that a family with 1 child would get the following each year:

Income Support £3412
Tax Credits £2850
Child Benefit £1055
Total 7317

And that's before you take into account housing benefit, council tax, free school dinners etc etc. So to me, no UK family should fall into that definition.

Then the report goes on to say they say someone is living in poverty if basic necessities are not met such as not "having enough shoes", not being able to pay for "home contents insurance" or children missing out on "having friends round" or "school trips".

When I hear "poverty" I think of children living in the streets with no food, not being unable to go on a school trip!

So given all that, is there such a thing as severe poverty in the UK? Or is it as I suspect that some families just can't manage their money?

I'm not trying to argue that £7k is a lot of money. I'm just saying that if that's the definition and the state gives you more, then surely there isn't such a thing?

And they are living on less than that.

Maybe with just one child, assuming no rent/mortgage. But well, even the lowest council tax here is still £1100/annum. Then there's that bothersome issue of needing fuel for heat, cooking, getting clothes clean, getting oneself clean, etc.

It's anything but cheap even on the 'cheapest' of direct debit plans. So I'd say there's another £1000/annum; that's being quite conservative with it, too.

And she's online. Our local library is closing. So much for accessing it there!

cheapest council tax here (single rate) is £676, but even so. Still a lot out of a £6000 budget.

I can never find any clothes for DS1 and 2 in the charity shops either. Used to pick up some great bargains (still do for DS3) but I'm not sure what happens to boys post about 5yrs old.............whether they trash their clothes or what - but there's usually nothing that will fit.

swallowed - I can't remember how much it cost having one child (I can't quite get over the fact that DS2 will be 8 this year ) so I don't know if I coul. Possibly, probably. Actually don't know, guess it depends on the child's age. DS1 and 2 eat the same amount as me (admittedly I don't have a huge appetite - but it's still a small adult portion rather than a "child" portion" iykwim?

I can at a push do my weekly shop for £50 for the 3 of us, (including the cleanin stuff and nappies), but its not very good quality food. That's £2600 a year to start with - I actually usually spend £60-70.

£70/week is about the cheapest I can get away with, too. That's £3640 right there.

We live in a rural area and don't have the selection of supermarkets that are in the cities and of course, travel to such places is an ever-costlier affair.

And YY about the clothes. I have that problem, too, but with two school-aged girls.

Ebay's not exactly full of bargains these days, either.

Right now I'm looking for a spring jacket for DD2 but have lost two auctions so far.

you've got a tall skinny one as well haven't you expat? Nightmare to buy for.

I worked out that if I left DH we would get £197 pw in tc, £65 pw in IS, £250 in a month CB and then £135 HB and £30 CTB, so nearly £500 A WEEK in benefits as a mother of 4.
Honestly you can see why people raise an eyebrow.

Oh yes i'd forgotten about school dinners, another tenner there, plus £24 a month in healthy eating vouchers it all adds up.

Like I said.

The REAL poor are the working poor. Single mothers get it relatively cushy. And they wonder why so many kids are being born to single mothers?

Which takes us neatly back to the thread on The Cuts and why the Welfare state needs a serious and drastic shake up.

I'd rather we raised the minimum wage than slashed the benefits or got a hold of food and fuel inflation.

God there is some total cock written here.
I am a one of those single mothers on benefits that some morons despise so much.
My DP left us before my son was born.
When my son turned one I was diagnosed with cancer.
Life is VERY VERY fucking hard.
And made so much harder by downright fuckwittery from people who haven't a sodding clue what they are on about but who don't hesitate to shove the boot in.

Lubberlich, all people are saying is that in some cases people really are better off on benefits and single.

That's all. I think that minimum wage should be raised considerably and people like yourself who are genuinely in need should be better supported.

Always the single parents that get the brunt of the benefit bashing

pisses me right off

well played Mr Cameron .....