One in eight Colchester children were living in poverty in 2023

The Minimum Income Standard identifies what incomes different households require to reach a minimum socially acceptable living standard.

Households are considered to be below the UK poverty line if their income is below 60 per cent of the average household income after housing costs for that year.

Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show 4,601 Colchester children aged under 16 were living in relative poverty in the financial year ending March 2023.

This means 12.4 per cent of children in Colchester were in a family whose income was below 60 per cent of the average household income before costs.

They also claimed child benefits and at least one other household benefit.

This was down from 13 per cent the year before - and is worse than than national figure of 20.1 per cent.

Of all the children facing poverty in Colchester, 1,357 were below school age.

One Colchester mum has called the revelation a "crisis for our children".

North Essex Support Team is one of the many charities aiming to help people living in poverty in the city.

The organisation sources and provides essential furniture and household items and helps people with special needs to adapt their homes.

Upset - Les Nicoll, the founder of North Essex Support Team (Image: Newsquest)
Les Nicoll, the founder of North Essex Support Team, said: "I am deeply ashamed of our society.

"My heart as a grandad and great-grandad weeps for these children living in poverty and as much for the parents living with the constant pressure, and despair of trying to feed, clothe and look after these children.

"In my own small but committed way, I started my own charity to support families and individuals living in poverty or vulnerability.

"NEST, with the help of our North Essex community, has supported tens of thousands of people and families over the years yet we have not made a mark on the figures, let alone a dent in the problem.

"I ask why? This is not a new problem, nor is it a problem that has never been discussed, It is a problem that has never even nearly been solved."

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said she was “horrified” by the figures and called for welfare reform, including auto-enrolment for free school meals and more free breakfast clubs.

She said: “We need to go much further, faster to support these families, because no child should grow up in poverty in the sixth richest country in the world.”

Across the UK, there were 2.5 million children living in low-income families before housing costs. However, the number hit a record high and was nearly double after housing costs were considered, with 4.3 million children in relative poverty.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride Image: PA (Image: PA)
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride said: “I know the last few years have been tough, with the aftershocks of Covid and the war of Ukraine driving up inflation and cost of living pressures.

“That’s exactly why we stepped in with the biggest cost of living package in Europe, worth an average of £3,800 per household, and this unprecedented support prevented 1.3 million people from falling into poverty in 2022-23.

“We’re also going further in April, by uprating benefits and pensions to support millions of people on the lowest incomes and extending the Household Support Fund to provide vital support for those most in need.”

A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said: “We recognise the challenges some families face and are committed to working alongside partners to ensure every child in Colchester has the opportunity to thrive.

“Whilst the data shows a decrease in child poverty in Colchester compared to the previous year, and a lower rate than the national average, even one child living in poverty is one too many.

“We are focussing on a number of initiatives to tackle this issue, including working to increase the availability of social housing and support schemes to help families afford their rent; offering various council tax reduction schemes and benefit support programs to help low-income families, and offering help and advice to ensure families claim the benefits they are entitled to.

"We are proud to work alongside our system partners across health, community, and voluntary sectors.

"This collaborative network helps us to identify, support and signpost those in need. It ensures we are collectively taking a holistic approach to people's health and the wider determinants linked to child poverty.

"We have dedicated teams and officers who engage with our residents and community groups to support them in their times of need.

"Our Financial Equality & Wellbeing team, Digital Access Support team and Community and Partnership teams are all focused on working with communities and organisations to provide guidance and signposting to organisations who can provide relief and/or advice.