We Need to Solve UK Poverty

I am fortunate. I’ve lived a life where I’ve known all ends of the financial spectrum. I’ve grown up in poverty; barely able to keep fed and warm, lived in comfort; knowing my needs are met and just about everything between. For years, I wouldn’t eat potatoes because for a while it was all my mum could afford and all we’d been able to eat. I don’t look back on this with resentment, or sadness though. No, what I am grateful for and appreciate is that it has given me perspective and understanding. My whole life, I’ve listened to people accuse others of mismanaging their money; rather than accepting that poverty is an issue in the UK that we need to solve but have known the truth.

Information has come to light that there are approximately 14 million people living in poverty in the UK; around 4 million of those are children. That’s a staggering number of UK citizens unable to meet their energy, housing and food costs. An alarming amount of people left in a position where they cannot meet their basic needs. It is heartbreaking and horrible but also a very real issue. It is unacceptable that this is allowed to go on and unreasonable to push the blame onto those suffering.

There are many reasons why so many are stuck suffering in this situation. Bad financial management doesn’t crack the top ten. High costs of living, unmanageable childcare prices, inadequate jobs with poor flexible working options and an inherently broken and divisive social security system are but a few.

So, I will be and encourage all my readers too to help #solveukpoverty. Show empathy, support and compassion to those who need it whilst taking a stand against the deniers, naysayers and victim blamers because (to quote Digimon) if we’re all for one world, there’s a world for us all.

The Busy Papa

Also known as Aaron, The Busy Papa focuses on lifestyle, parenting and personal wellbeing content. He has two decades experience in creative writing (including several published poems) and strongly dislikes (though tolerates) tomatoes.