Eight-day working week needed for average low-income family to escape poverty
Action for Children has found thousands of children living in poverty despite having full-time working parents
New research suggests an eight-day working week would be needed for an average low-income family where parents are in full-time employment to escape poverty.
Action for Children said its analysis showed almost 300,000 low-income families with children in the UK are trapped in poverty despite the parent or parents in that household working at least 30 hours a week.
A household is considered to be in relative poverty if it is below 60% of the median income after housing costs.
The charity’s calculations – based on working at least six hours a day and using figures from the Government’s UK Family Resources Survey – suggested that on average, poorer households in full-time employment would need to work an additional 19 hours a week to break through the poverty line.
When it comes to earnings, the charity said the average low-income family where every parent worked full-time would need a weekly pay rise of £168 (£8,736 more a year) to clear the poverty line.
Calls for action
Action for Children’s operational director in the West Midlands, Claire Cahill, said: "Our research shows we need to be honest about why so many children in our region are growing up poor and confront the myth that work alone is a passport out of poverty.
"In this election year, this is something all political parties must address. Further research is needed into the financial challenges facing these working families so we can find more targeted and effective solutions.
"This should be part of a wider programme of reform that strengthens the social security system and tackles the barriers to work and opportunity that are keeping families trapped in poverty."
Government support
Responding to today's Action for Children report, a Government spokesperson said: “There are 1.7 million fewer people living in absolute poverty compared to 2010, including 400,000 children, as we continue to support families with cost of living support worth on average £3,700 per household.
“Children are five times less likely to experience poverty living in a household where all adults work, compared to those in workless households, which is why this Government has reduced the number of workless households by almost 700,000 since 2010.
“We know work is the best route out of poverty which is why we have also raised the National Living Wage and are investing billions through our Back to Work Plan to break down barriers to work, while expanding our childcare offer and investing in children’s health programmes to make sure children get the best start in life.”