North east economy a perspective for common purpose
13
The North East Economy & Child Poverty Robin Beveridge 29 April 2014
-
Upload
north-east-child-poverty -
Category
Government & Nonprofit
-
view
128 -
download
1
description
An overview of Child Poverty in the North East of England, and some thoughts on economic changes needed to address it.
Transcript of North east economy a perspective for common purpose
The North East Economy & Child Poverty
Robin Beveridge29 April 2014
What is child poverty?How much child poverty is there?What are the trends?What are the causes and effects of poverty? And the solutions?How would the North East economy need to change to eliminate child poverty?What can we do?
Key questions
Poverty line = 60% of median income£374 per week for a couple with 2 childrenInability to do the things most of us take for grantedMost families in poverty have at least 1 working parent
What is child poverty?
In the UK, just under 3 million children live in povertyIn the North East, it is over 130,000 childrenUK level: 1 in 5North East: 1 in 4Middlesbrough: 1 in 3Thorntree: over 1 in 2
How much is there?
Was falling, now risingUnlikely to hit target of eradicating child poverty by 2020Changes mostly driven by changes to tax and welfare, not by employment and wages
What are the trends?
Causes, effects, solutionsCauses
Individual:Poor choices (drink, drugs, crime)
Low aspirationsCultural attitudes
Systemic:Poor education
Lack of opportunitiesQuality of employment
Effects
Low aspirationsCultural attitudesPoverty trap
Poor educationBarriers to employment
Poor healthIndebtedness
Solutions
Tackle aspirations/cultureCompulsion and sanction
Guarantee jobsImprove welfareMitigate effects
Grow employmentImprove education & skills
Self help and charity
More jobs, better jobs
Better access to those jobs:
SkillsTransportChildcareOther
The North East economy I
The North East economy II
Production Traded services Local services Public sector
The North East economy III
What can we do?
Employers Schools Public bodies Everyone
• Become a Living Wage employer
• Provide family-friendly jobs
• Provide good jobs with progression
• Use the pupil premium well
• Poverty Proof the School Day
• Train teachers and governors
• Assess child poverty impact of services and policies
• Monitor and address child poverty
• Procure from Living Wage employers
• Challenge myths and stereotypes
• Consider child poverty in your work
• Support local children’s charities
The ‘Living Wage’ gives a minimum acceptable standard of living, as defined by members of the public
The UK Living Wage is currently £7.65 per hour
A Living Wage
Living Wages in the NE
Glaring gaps:Local AuthoritiesUniversitiesManufacturersBusiness services
Tel: (0191) 334 9107
Mob: 07983 408966
www.nechildpoverty.org.uk
https://www.facebook.com/nechildpoverty
@nechildpoverty
Contact
