Commenting on a new analysis showing the impact of the energy
price cap rise, Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary
of the National Education Union, said:
"The state-of-the-nation report from the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation reveals a deeply concerning increase in the number of
children growing up in very deep poverty. It is shaming to our
country that around 1.8 million children in the UK are growing up
in very deep poverty, meaning their household’s income is so low
that it is completely inadequate to cover the basics.
"The effects of poverty in childhood can last a lifetime and
impact on education in multiple ways. We know that from NEU’s own
member research the impact that poverty has in the classroom.
Indeed, an NEU survey of 10,000+ school and college staff in
April 2021 found that almost all respondents (94%) believe
poverty affects learning, with 51% saying it does so to a 'large
extent'. (1)
"There is no doubt that school staff have stepped up for their
students during the pandemic, as they always do in a crisis. But
their actions alone cannot compensate for this deep poverty and
the Government needs to take urgent action to tackle this
scourge.
"In autumn 2021, the Government went ahead with the £20-a-week
cut to Universal Credit ignoring the warnings of teachers,
charities, doctors, economists and even many of its own
Conservative MPs about the impact it would have on rising rates
of child poverty. The help that is now offered to families has
been cut down to completely inadequate levels. On top of this, it
is of great concern that the impact of rising energy bills is
expected to be much harsher for families on low incomes. This
will all have impacts too in our schools and on education.
"It is vital that the Government takes urgent action to tackle
the root causes of poverty, as well as the symptoms, in order to
create the conditions in which all our school children can thrive
and learn, ensuring that no child is held back as a result of
poverty."
Editor’s Note
State of Education: Poverty, Pandemic and Recovery, 7 April 2021:
https://neu.org.uk/press-releases/state-education-poverty-pandemic-and-recovery
