The poorest children reveal the bleak reality of life in recession-hit Britain

THE North West's poorest children are bearing the greatest burden of the recession; having their parents go hungry to feed them, missing regular hot meals, unable to afford warm coats and new shoes and suffering enormous emotional strain, says Save the Children.

In its major new report:- "It Shouldn't Happen Here", the charity highlights children's; as well as parents; experiences living in recession-hit Britain and the extent to which poverty is blighting young lives.

The North West and areas within it are amongst the most deprived in the UK. According to one recent study, nine of the ten poorest communities in England can be found in the region and five of these are in Liverpool. On some measures, Manchester has the highest rate of child poverty in the country.

The survey results show that parents and children in the North West are experiencing the impact of years of stagnating wages, inflation and cuts to welfare spending.  The most striking findings from the surveys is the extent to which parents are being forced to cut back to protect their children from the full impact of poverty and the awareness amongst children of the financial pressures facing their parents. Amongst children in the North West:-

 ►   Well over a quarter agree or strongly agree that their parents are cutting back on things for themselves like food and new clothes.

 ►   Almost half say they think it's getting harder for their family to pay for everything.

 ►   4 in 10 agree or strongly agree that not having enough money makes their parents unhappy/ stressed.

Despite rising food prices, over 75% of parents in the North West on low incomes have less than £50 per week to spend on food for the entire family, compared to a national average of £76 per week.

Amongst the North West's poorest parents:-

 ►   1 in 6 say their children have to go without new shoes when they need them.

 ►   1 in 6 say their children have to go without a winter coat.

 ►   Over 25% say their children are missing out on having friends round for tea because money is tight.

In a snapshot of family life under pressure, the survey finds that 40% of children in the North West say that they worry about their family not having enough money. Over half of children in the region say their family has to think carefully about what they spend their money on.

Save the Children says that witnessing the financial worries of their parents is placing an impossible burden on children. Typical was Alison, aged 14 who said:- "When I ask for stuff, my mum tells me to go away. I wish I could just get a whole load of money and give it to her."

11 year old Duncan told researchers:- "My mum makes sacrifices so that I can do the hobbies I want to do to keep me off the streets. She cuts back on buying herself new shoes and clothes."

Save the Children spoke to more than 150 youngsters and 475 parents throughout the North West. The charity says it's aiming to raise £500,000 to help its work in the UK, targeting the poorest children - the first time it has appealed to the UK public for funds to help children at home.

The charity is calling for the Government to encourage more employers to pay the living wage, so parents can earn enough to lift their children out of poverty; to strengthen the new welfare system; Universal Credit; by allowing working parents to keep more of their earnings before benefits are withdrawn; and to help parents afford to work by providing extra child care support so 80% of costs are covered.

Graham Whitham, author of the report and Save the Children's UK Poverty Advisor in Manchester, said:- "The North West of England has amongst the highest rates of child poverty and deprivation in the UK. The double-dip recession has hit particularly hard with unemployment in the region continuing to rise during 2012 despite it falling in other parts of the country. No child should see their parent going hungry or start the new term without a warm coat and with holes in their shoes. Poverty is tearing families apart, with parents buckling under the pressure of mounting bills and children seeing their parents argue more about money. That's why for the first time in our history we are launching a UK appeal. We need to help poor families survive the recession.  A weak labour market, stagnating wages, rising living costs and public spending cuts have placed enormous financial pressure on parents in the region. Despite the best efforts of parents to shield their children from these stresses, these survey results suggest that children are well aware of the pressure their parents are under. The impact of poverty and money worries appears to be particularly acute".

"Child Poverty in 2012, It Shouldn't Happen Here" also reveals for the poorest families in the North West:-

►  25% of parents in poverty say they are arguing more with their partner than they used to because of money worries

►  20% of parents in poverty say they are snapping more at their children.

►  40% of parents in poverty say they are stressed because they are constantly worrying about money

►  More than 1 in 5 parents in poverty say they are depressed because they can't see a way out of their current financial situation

To find out more or donate please go to:- savethechildren.org.uk/ukpoverty.  Or Text POVERTY to:- 70008 to donate £5.