Call to give children a voice in new drive to end poverty

Save the Children has today published a report that gave children from some of the poorest communities in the UK the opportunity to speak out about their lives.

The publication – Telling It Like It Is – reveals the reality of growing up in poverty and looks at the impact of low family incomes and poor housing and neighbourhoods.

It follows research from the OECD that found that UK children are the least likely to be able to escape deprivation compared with those in other rich countries.

Ryan, 17, from Oldham, said pupils at his school are called “rich kids” if they get new clothes, even if they are cheap.

“I used to know people who were ashamed to accept free school meals, as they didn’t want to be labelled as poor.

“But at the same time, in school it was just a normal thing to be claiming free school meals,” he said.

The report said: “Save the Children would like to see local and national government place the voices of disadvantaged children at the heart of the drive to end child poverty, in line with its obligations under Article 12 of the UN Convention (On the Rights of the Child).

“The insights they have and the passion they show reinforces our conviction that all children have a valuable contribution to make in all decisions that affect their lives, that no child should ever endure poverty, and that with the right support and opportunities, every child can achieve great things.”

The report was produced alongside a BBC1 documentary Poor Kids that followed the lives of four children, due to be screened tonight at 10.35pm.