Inside the Town Where 6 Out of 7 Children Grow up in Poverty and Live in Fear of Homelessness
In Newport, Middlesbrough, six of seven children are classified as living in poverty based on the CPAG threshold of 60% of the national average. More than half of all children in the Middlesbrough and Thornaby East constituency live in poverty, highlighting the severity of the issue in this area.
Researchers have identified a correlation between high child poverty rates and a higher share of families affected by the two-child cap on benefits. For example, parents Gemma Grafton and Lee Stevenson cannot claim additional universal credit for their three-month-old daughter Ivie because of the benefit cap, which affects their ability to cover basic living costs and rent.
Barney's Baby Bank has reported that over 50 families have registered for assistance in the last 11 months, receiving support such as nappies, clothing, and other essential items. At Dormanstown Primary Academy, educators warn that hunger negatively impacts students' sleep, concentration, and brain development. The school collaborates with charities to help improve opportunities and welfare for pupils.
Several children attending the school, including Bonnie and Mark, both aged 10, as well as Leo, have expressed fears about homelessness and the prospect of having nowhere to live due to the ongoing poverty crisis.
In response, the government has implemented a Child Poverty Taskforce plan, allocated £500 million toward Best Start Family Hubs, extended free school meals, and introduced a £1 billion crisis support package aimed at alleviating some of the challenges faced by families in poverty.
