South West child poverty numbers remain "stubbornly high"
New figures have been released by the End Child Poverty Coalition
The number of children living in poverty in the South West remains “stubbornly high” according to the latest End Child Poverty Coalition report released today (July 12).
The research carried out by Loughborough University on behalf of the coalition shows that a quarter of children and young people in the South West are living in poverty.
This equates to 8 children in a group of 30.
In Bristol this figure reaches a third, with 33% living in poverty, while in Gloucester the number is at 29%.
In parts of Somerset it's at 28%, in Exeter it's at 24% and in Plymouth, 31%.
Salisbury's is a little better, at 19%.
Bristol's percentage, which is the worst in the region, equates to 10 children in a class of 30.
Low-income families are using food banks and skipping meals in order to feed their children.
This also can mean being unable to purchase warm winter coats in the hopes of being able to afford school uniforms.
According to the report certain families are more likely to experience poverty than others.
40% of children in lone parent households are living in poverty, compared to 24% of those in couple parent households.
Also, children from Black and minority ethnic groups are more likely to live in poverty at 46%, compared to 26% in white British families.
The temporary £20 increase to Universal Credit created a short term uplift, helping reduce the overall percentage of child poverty.
However, this increase has since been removed and the levels of poverty have remained.
In the South West over the past 10 years the number of children in poverty has barely changed.
Since 2010/11 there has been a decrease of less than 1%.
We have contacted Bristol City Council for a comment.