One in eight children in Wiltshire living in relative poverty

Save the Children UK said the latest figures are grim and prove families are "still very much in the depths of a crisis” as inflation increases.

Department for Work and Pensions figures show 11,613 children in Wiltshire were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

It meant 12.7 per cent of children in the area were in a family whose income was below 60% of average household income and claimed child benefit and at least one other household benefit.

Of these children, 8,856 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60 per cent of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (9.7 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was up from 10 per cent of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 and up from 10.8 per cent seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

Salisbury Foodbank has also been seeing a growing trend in foodbank demand, not only in increased numbers of people but children too. 

In the three months from November 2022 to January 2023, 40-plus per cent of the people it supported were children, which manager Maria Stevenson said is "a growing concern".

Maria added: "We work closely with local charities and statutory agencies to offer a holistic and quick approach to address some of the needs.

"Foodbank food parcels are a 'sticky plaster' to support the people of families' individual needs."

The work with other charities and agencies includes: 

• Citizens Advice to support people accessing the foodbank, with a main focus to optimise household income. Many people are not aware they are entitled to additional benefits, such as Council Tax Reduction or support with their child care costs or free school meals.
• A partnership with Central Fruits a local green grocer wholesaler who subsidies a Fresh Fruit & Veg delivery to people who opt into this via the foodbank centres. 
• Spurgeon’s the children’s charity
• Gifting Toys 
• The foodbank can also provide Nappies, washing detergent and toiletries.

Councillor Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said reducing inequality and deprivation is a key aim for the council, and that it is "constantly working to ensure that the people of Wiltshire are empowered to live full, healthy and enriched lives".

Cllr Clewer added: “Therefore, supporting people and families through this cost-of-living crisis is a top priority for us and we have a range of schemes, advice and support on our dedicated cost-of-living webpages. It contains information on council tax and benefits, energy advice and support schemes, housing information, mental health support, local practical help, and support available for businesses. The council’s interactive community directory can also be found there, which contains details of other warm spaces in the county as well as community food providers. It can all be found at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living.

“The council administers the Government’s Household Support Fund, which is proving to be vital to those who need it the most, and our teams are working hard to ensure that it gets to the right people. This fund can be used to provide free school meals to eligible families during the school holidays, support with energy bill or with the essential costs relating to energy, food and water. We are currently finalising the plans for the next phase of the fund and once confirmed will be working with partners, such as food banks, churches and the voluntary sector to allocate to those most in need as quickly as possible.

“Our FUEL camps offer young people in Wiltshire a range of activities, healthy eating advice and hot food over the holiday periods. These camps are delivered in areas where there is the greatest need as we continue to support Wiltshire families during the holidays, many of whom are experiencing pressure from the increasing cost of living

“We’ll continue to do what we can to help steer people through this really challenging time.”