Nearly 1 Million Children in the UK at Risk of Poverty Due to Rising Housing Costs, Report Finds
New report reveals that government housing policies and rising rents are pushing nearly one million children in the UK into financial hardship or poverty.
A new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has revealed that nearly 1 million children in the UK are at risk of falling into poverty or experiencing financial hardship due to rising rents, a lack of housing support, and underinvestment in social housing.
The study estimates that 925,000 children will be impacted by shortfalls in government housing support by March 2026. The report highlights the failure of the UK government to raise the local housing allowance (LHA) to keep pace with increasing rents.
Since 2011, LHA rates have been frozen, leaving many families who rely on benefits to struggle with rising rent costs.
According to the report, this has led to a financial burden on families who must allocate benefit income meant for other living costs toward housing.
Professor Ashwin Kumar, co-author of the report, explained that children in these situations may experience increased financial pressures, leading to negative consequences such as health problems and difficulties in school.
The report also identifies a widening gap between the availability of affordable housing in different regions, with nearly two-thirds of families renting privately in Wales facing a shortfall compared to only 31% in Scotland.
The report advocates for increased investment in social housing, arguing that this would reduce housing benefit costs in the long term.
In response to the findings, a government spokesperson emphasized efforts to address poverty through initiatives like the household support fund, discretionary housing payments, and increases in benefits, but the IPPR calls for more substantial changes to housing policies.
The study estimates that 925,000 children will be impacted by shortfalls in government housing support by March 2026. The report highlights the failure of the UK government to raise the local housing allowance (LHA) to keep pace with increasing rents.
Since 2011, LHA rates have been frozen, leaving many families who rely on benefits to struggle with rising rent costs.
According to the report, this has led to a financial burden on families who must allocate benefit income meant for other living costs toward housing.
Professor Ashwin Kumar, co-author of the report, explained that children in these situations may experience increased financial pressures, leading to negative consequences such as health problems and difficulties in school.
The report also identifies a widening gap between the availability of affordable housing in different regions, with nearly two-thirds of families renting privately in Wales facing a shortfall compared to only 31% in Scotland.
The report advocates for increased investment in social housing, arguing that this would reduce housing benefit costs in the long term.
In response to the findings, a government spokesperson emphasized efforts to address poverty through initiatives like the household support fund, discretionary housing payments, and increases in benefits, but the IPPR calls for more substantial changes to housing policies.
