A mother shared her experience of turning to food banks to provide for her children when they were younger, following alarming statistics on child food poverty. According to a report by the Education Policy Institute (EPI), nearly a quarter (24%) of households with children under five in England face food poverty, with preschoolers experiencing higher levels of food insecurity compared to older children.
Meg Bonnie, a mother of two from Nottingham, has been on Universal Credit since she turned 18 in 2023. The 21-year-old receives approximately £800 per month in benefits for her four-year-old and one-year-old children and has previously relied on food banks for support. Reflecting on the new data, she expressed that using food banks was a last resort for her, feeling a sense of shame and judgment.
While it has been some time since she last needed assistance, Meg emphasized the challenges faced by single-parent households in managing finances, particularly during school breaks. She highlighted the importance of budgeting and meal preparation to cope with rising food prices, noting the increase in costs for essential items.
The government has announced measures to alleviate child poverty, including lifting the two-child benefits cap and increasing funding for nurseries. A government spokesperson emphasized the commitment to reducing child poverty and outlined initiatives such as removing the two-child limit, raising the national living wage, and expanding free school meal provision for families on Universal Credit. Consultations are ongoing to further support nurseries and childminders catering to families with low incomes, including assistance with food costs.