New figures paint a deeply concerning picture for Britain: a staggering 6.8 million people are now trapped in “very deep poverty” – the highest number in three decades. This isn’t just being short on cash; it means their household income, after paying for housing, is less than 40% of the UK median. For a family of four, that’s roughly £16,400 a year – a truly challenging amount to live on.
While the overall poverty rate has seen a slight dip, the number of people experiencing this extreme hardship has actually *risen*, now accounting for almost half of all those in poverty. Alarmingly, child poverty is also on the rise, with 4.5 million children growing up in tough conditions for the third year running.
There’s a glimmer of hope with the government’s decision to scrap the two-child benefit limit next April. This policy left many low-income families without crucial support for third or subsequent children. Experts, like the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) who published this report, welcome the move but warn it’s just a start. Without further action, progress in tackling child poverty could stall.
Children, disabled individuals, and certain minority groups, such as Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities, are disproportionately bearing the brunt of this crisis, highlighting deep inequalities within society. As the economy shows mixed signals – some growth, but also rising inflation – the fight against poverty remains a critical challenge. As John Bird, founder of the Big Issue, aptly puts it, these findings are “bad news for society,” reminding us that a thriving society supports all its members.
Source: https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/01/27/very-deep-poverty-in-britain-hits-record-high
