There are an estimated 14.5 million people living in poverty in the UK which represents 22% of the population.  Of these, 4.3 million are children.  According to a 2022 report by the Resolution Foundation, the typical working-age household faces an income fall of 4% or £1,100 in 2022-23.  However, the poorest quarter of households are set to see their incomes fall by 6%.  This means that a further 1.3 million people will fall into absolute poverty including 5000,000 children. 

Only 26.6% of children eligible for Free School Meals receive five good GCSEs including English and mathematics, compared with 54.2% of non-free school meals pupils, giving them significantly poorer life chances into adulthood. Child poverty is estimated to cost the economy £13 billion annually and cost the public sector £12 billion annually.

This event brings together Government, public sector and voluntary sector agencies to discuss the pertinent issues relating to addressing child poverty. It examines a comprehensive range of issues such as food poverty, education and health.