Responding to new figures showing a rise in levels of poverty in the UK, Associate Director of Policy at Centre for Mental Health, Kadra Abdinasir, said: “Today’s government figures on poverty and income inequality paint a deeply disturbing picture, with trends moving in entirely the wrong direction. Poverty is toxic to mental health, yet 100,000 more children have been pushed below the poverty line this year – bringing the total to a shocking 4.5 million for the first time.
“Our recent analysis with the Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition and Save the Children UK highlighted the severe harm poverty inflicts on the mental health of children and families.
“Alarmingly, today’s data also reveals a rise in absolute low income and food insecurity, disproportionately affecting those already struggling. And the situation is even more dire for disabled people, who face significantly higher rates of poverty than the rest of the population. With plans for deep cuts to their benefits confirmed yesterday, their financial security and mental health is under even greater threat.
“Following the announcement of benefits system reforms, the Government’s own impact assessment, published this week, predicts an additional 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – will be pushed into poverty by 2029/30.
“The Government must act now to reduce poverty by protecting incomes, scrapping punitive policies like the two-child limit, and introducing a comprehensive strategy to reverse these devastating trends and safeguard the mental health of those most at risk.”
