Category Archives: Poverty

Legal right to access free period products in Scotland comes into force

Scotland has become the first country in the world to protect in law the right to access free period products.

Councils and education providers will be legally required to make period products available free of charge to anyone who needs themas the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act came into force on Monday 15 August 2022.

Since 2017, the Scottish Government has invested more than £27 million to fund access in a range of public settings and the new law will cement this progress.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said:

“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them. This is more important than ever at a time when people are making difficult choices due to the cost of living crisis and we never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.

“Since 2018, we have delivered ground-breaking action by providing free period products for pupils and students in all our schools, colleges and universities. We are proud to be the first national government in the world to take such action.

“The work we are doing in Scotland continues to be world leading, going goes beyond provision of free products. We have also provided funding for an educational website for employers, run a successful anti-stigma campaign, and improved menstrual health resources available for schools.

“I’m grateful to all the young women and girls who have been crucial in developing the best ways to access products to meet their needs.”

People can find their nearest collection point through the PickupMyPeriod mobile app which was launched earlier this year by social enterprise Hey Girls with Scottish Government support.

Celia Hodson, founder of Hey Girls, said:

“The Period Product Act shows Scotland is leading the way in recognising that period products are not a luxury and should be freely available to all.

“Through our PickupMyPeriod app, we work to ensure no-one in Scotland is left without access to period products and are well on the way to achieving that with more than 1,000 locations highlighted to users.

“We hope the Act will help those in need and that our app will be of support to many more as our network continues to grow.”

Background

The main duties on local authorities and education providers in the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 will come into effect on 15 August 2022. In October 2021 the Scottish Government published guidance to support organisations in delivering these products.

The Act builds on the Period Products in Schools (Scotland) Regulations which came into force in October 2020, placing a duty on local authorities and grant-aided schools to provide free products for pupils. The Scottish Government is providing £3.4 million in 2022-23 for access to free period products for students.

Scotland’s approach to delivering period dignity has been commended globally, with countries including South Korea and New Zealand taking a similar approach to meet their own needs.

https://www.gov.scot/news/period-products-act-comes-into-force/

August 19, 2022

Cost of living crisis will put further pressure on parents already under strain – Nuffield Foundation

Pressures on many parents of young children have been increasing over the last 20 years and have intensified during the pandemic. Some of these pressures are financial and will be increased further by the cost of living crisis, putting young children’s well-being and development at risk.

A report published on 26 May 2022 by the Nuffield Foundation reviews the evidence on the changing nature of parenting children under five. It finds that parents are increasingly under pressure as a result of expectations, a lack of time, the balance of paid employment and providing care for young children, poverty, and inadequate housing. All of these factors can affect the care parents provide and children’s development and well-being.

The report also finds that some parenting programmes can improve parenting skills and outcomes for children, but such programmes are less likely to succeed if not combined with action to reduce pressure on families, such as improving household incomes.

The report brings together research from over 100 studies to show how the different pressures facing parents of young children compound and can impact young children’s development.

Increasing rates of poverty and poor housing

Even before the cost of living crisis, more than one in three (36%) children in families with a child under five in the UK were living in poverty. Poverty can have a direct effect on children’s outcomes through constraints on parents’ ability to afford the basics such as food and housing. It can also create parental stress, depression and conflict between parents, which may impede effective parenting and, in turn, affect child outcomes.

One in four children now start school while living in privately rented housing. With the highest rates of non-decent housing, privately rented housing is over five times more likely to be over-crowded than owner-occupied housing. Features of low-quality housing, such as overcrowding, damp and problems with heating may significantly affect parents’ and children’s lives. Privately rented housing is also less secure, which puts children at increased risk of needing to move school and away from family and social networks.

There are also significant inequalities among ethnic groups in relation to overcrowding. Almost one in four (24%) of Bangladeshi British households are overcrowded, compared to just 2% of White British households.

Increases in parental stress and mental health problems

Economic pressures can also have an impact on parents’ mental health. The mental health of mothers (there is currently no equivalent data on fathers) has been shown to be a key factor in the relationship between economic hardship and play activities, discipline and how the mother feels towards the child.

The pandemic has negatively affected parental mental health and increased inter-parental conflict at a time when parents have less access to support. Over 70% of parents of young children report that being a parent is stressful and that they feel judged as a parent by others. Not all parents receive the support they would like and many face barriers to accessing help. Close to one fifth (18%) of parents of young children have two or fewer people they can turn to locally for help.

Do parenting programmes help support parents and children? 

Parenting programmes can support parents by helping to improve parenting skills and improving the home learning environment. A number of programmes have been shown to improve outcomes for children and parents across a range of different areas of parenting and development. But evidence is limited about which programmes can work well for different groups of parents and some groups of families are underserved by programmes designed to support them. In addition, parenting policy has been patchy. However, the government’s recent initiatives to create Family Hubs and the Best Start for Life are an important step forward.

Over the last 20 years, there has been a growing variation in family living arrangements and a diversity of family structures. To meet the diverse needs of different families, and in a context of reduced budgets, developing the evidence base for more digital and accessible interventions to support parents is a particular priority.

However, efforts to improve parenting skills are less likely to succeed if not combined with efforts to reduce pressure on families, such as through improving household incomes. The research evidence shows that children who experience poverty and strong parenting skills can achieve good outcomes at age five. To close the disadvantage gap and improve children’s outcomes, policies are needed to both reduce pressures on families and improve parenting skills, using universal and targeted support.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news/cost-of-living-crisis-further-pressure-on-parents

Download the report in pdf format from https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Time-for-parents-Nuffield-Foundation.pdf

 

 

May 31, 2022

Cost of living crisis will put further pressure on parents already under strain – Nuffield Foundation

Pressures on many parents of young children have been increasing over the last 20 years and have intensified during the pandemic. Some of these pressures are financial and will be increased further by the cost of living crisis, putting young children’s well-being and development at risk.

A report published on 26 May 2022 by the Nuffield Foundation reviews the evidence on the changing nature of parenting children under five. It finds that parents are increasingly under pressure as a result of expectations, a lack of time, the balance of paid employment and providing care for young children, poverty, and inadequate housing. All of these factors can affect the care parents provide and children’s development and well-being.

The report also finds that some parenting programmes can improve parenting skills and outcomes for children, but such programmes are less likely to succeed if not combined with action to reduce pressure on families, such as improving household incomes.

The report brings together research from over 100 studies to show how the different pressures facing parents of young children compound and can impact young children’s development.

Increasing rates of poverty and poor housing

Even before the cost of living crisis, more than one in three (36%) children in families with a child under five in the UK were living in poverty. Poverty can have a direct effect on children’s outcomes through constraints on parents’ ability to afford the basics such as food and housing. It can also create parental stress, depression and conflict between parents, which may impede effective parenting and, in turn, affect child outcomes.

One in four children now start school while living in privately rented housing. With the highest rates of non-decent housing, privately rented housing is over five times more likely to be over-crowded than owner-occupied housing. Features of low-quality housing, such as overcrowding, damp and problems with heating may significantly affect parents’ and children’s lives. Privately rented housing is also less secure, which puts children at increased risk of needing to move school and away from family and social networks.

There are also significant inequalities among ethnic groups in relation to overcrowding. Almost one in four (24%) of Bangladeshi British households are overcrowded, compared to just 2% of White British households.

Increases in parental stress and mental health problems

Economic pressures can also have an impact on parents’ mental health. The mental health of mothers (there is currently no equivalent data on fathers) has been shown to be a key factor in the relationship between economic hardship and play activities, discipline and how the mother feels towards the child.

The pandemic has negatively affected parental mental health and increased inter-parental conflict at a time when parents have less access to support. Over 70% of parents of young children report that being a parent is stressful and that they feel judged as a parent by others. Not all parents receive the support they would like and many face barriers to accessing help. Close to one fifth (18%) of parents of young children have two or fewer people they can turn to locally for help.

Do parenting programmes help support parents and children? 

Parenting programmes can support parents by helping to improve parenting skills and improving the home learning environment. A number of programmes have been shown to improve outcomes for children and parents across a range of different areas of parenting and development. But evidence is limited about which programmes can work well for different groups of parents and some groups of families are underserved by programmes designed to support them. In addition, parenting policy has been patchy. However, the government’s recent initiatives to create Family Hubs and the Best Start for Life are an important step forward.

Over the last 20 years, there has been a growing variation in family living arrangements and a diversity of family structures. To meet the diverse needs of different families, and in a context of reduced budgets, developing the evidence base for more digital and accessible interventions to support parents is a particular priority.

However, efforts to improve parenting skills are less likely to succeed if not combined with efforts to reduce pressure on families, such as through improving household incomes. The research evidence shows that children who experience poverty and strong parenting skills can achieve good outcomes at age five. To close the disadvantage gap and improve children’s outcomes, policies are needed to both reduce pressures on families and improve parenting skills, using universal and targeted support.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news/cost-of-living-crisis-further-pressure-on-parents

Download the report in pdf format from https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Time-for-parents-Nuffield-Foundation.pdf

 

 

May 31, 2022

In the red: WaterAid finds 1 in 4 UK women and girls struggle to afford period products as cost-of-living crisis takes its toll

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, a new WaterAid survey highlights its devastating impact on people who menstruate, with almost a quarter in the UK (24%) saying they or their family have struggled to afford period products in the last year and nearly a third (32%) worrying they won’t be able to afford them in the future.

The international charity surveyed 2,000 British people who menstruate aged 14 to 50 to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May, uncovering the sometimes-shocking ways people are being forced to reduce costs, such as:

  • 1 in 5 (20%) coping by using makeshift materials, such as loo roll or sponges,
  • 1 in 4 (26%) wearing period products for longer than they should, risking their health,
  • 1 in 6 (15%) having missed school or work during their period.

Across the globe, the vital needs of women and girls, including menstrual health, are often severely neglected at times of crisis and economic hardship, while the education of girls is more likely to be deprioritised than that of boys. Added to this, a third of schools lack decent toilets, meaning many girls miss classes during their periods.

WaterAid is calling for menstrual health to be recognised as critical for gender equality, so no one is held back because of this natural process.

The charity’s poll found that in the last year, 22% of British women and girls have relied on free period products from work, school, a food bank or other charity, while 30% have had to choose cheaper brands to cut costs.

Nearly a quarter (24%) reported missing activities such as sport or social activities due to struggles with affording period products. Over three fifths (61%) said if period products were cheaper or more free products were available, it would improve their mental health or wellbeing.

School-aged girls are among the hardest hit, with 2 in 5 (41%) worrying about adding to the financial burden of their parent or caregiver, and 1 in 5 (20%) admitting to missing school or work as a result of struggling to afford period products.

People who menstruate face even greater challenges in countries without decent water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. In South Asia, up to 1 in 3 girls miss school every month during their period, holding many back from reaching their potential In Uganda, research by Oxford University found that where sanitary pads or puberty education are not provided, absenteeism among girls is 17% higher than in schools where they do receive products, education or both.

A WaterAid survey in two Myanmar townships on the effect of Covid-19 and political upheaval found economic impacts made it even harder for most households to meet their water, sanitation and hygiene needs. More than 1 in 10 women and girls were unable to afford sanitary pads. One respondent said her sister must use one pad for a whole day at work. They can’t change their pads regularly because prices are going up and they don’t have enough money. WaterAid has provided emergency hygiene kits including sanitary pads, soap and water to communities and is improving sanitation facilities in schools.

The UK’s new International Development Strategy includes a welcome focus on women and girls, but without sustainable access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, millions are still at risk.

WaterAid is committed to working in schools and communities globally to ensure people have practical information on menstrual health and hygiene as well as access to decent toilet facilities and safe, affordable products including guidance on how to make their own reusable materials and how to use menstrual materials safely. WaterAid also campaigns on an international scale to break down the stigma surrounding periods and ensure menstrual health is included in policies, programmes and related budgets so people get the support they need.

In Ghana, a 20% tax on period products combined with economic challenges means the price of period products fluctuates monthly and makes them unaffordable for many women and girls and totally inaccessible for those living in poverty. WaterAid is among a host of NGOs campaigning for the abolition of this tax.

While significant steps have been made to tackle period poverty in the UK, most notably with the abolition of the tampon tax in January 2021 and provision of free period products in schools and hospitals, a massive 83% of survey respondents thought more needs to be done. The majority of people (71%) asserted there should be more places where you could get free period products and 61% wanted more support for schools to educate students on cost-effective ways to manage your period.

Notes:

  • WaterAid survey on affordability of period products
    WaterAid carried out the survey via OnePoll from 4-10 May 2022, surveying 2,000 UK women or non-binary people aged 14-50 years old who experience periods (14-17 year olds polled via parents).
  • Menstrual Hygiene Day 2022
    This year’s theme is #WeAreCommitted. On 28 May, organisations all over the world will start to publicly announce what they are committed to contribute to create a world where no one is held back because they menstruate by 2030. For more, visit: https://menstrualhygieneday.org/

Part of a longer press release at https://www.wateraid.org/uk/media/wateraid-survey-uk-women-and-girls-struggle-to-afford-period-products

 

May 26, 2022

New Age UK analysis finds one in five UK women pensioners now living in poverty

Figures higher still for Black and Asian UK women pensioners, at about one in three 

These deeply worrying figures are released as MPs prepare to debate the suspension of the triple lock in Parliament 

Really concerning new analysis from Age UK shows that in less than a decade the proportion of female pensioners in the UK living in poverty has increased by six percentage points, resulting in one in five female pensioners – 1.25 million – now living below the breadline.

Despite the rise in women’s State Pension age meaning the number of female pensioners in the UK has fallen by around 800,000 since 2012-13 (from 7.1m to 6.3m), the number living in poverty has actually increased by around 260,000 (from 990,000 to 1.25 million).

Published to coincide with the launch of its new poverty report – and on the day that MPs are debating the triple lock suspension in Parliament – the figures show that the good progress made in reducing pensioner poverty up to 2010 is now rapidly being reversed. Rates are once again on the rise, leaving 2.1 million pensioners (18 per cent) living in poverty and forced to make very real and difficult choices every day about how to make the most of their very low fixed income.

The report highlights that single female pensioners are at much higher risk of being in poverty than single men and pensioner couples (27 per cent compared to 23 per cent and 13 per cent respectively).

Pensioners from Black and Asian communities are around twice as likely to be living in poverty as White pensioners (33 per cent of Asian pensioners and 30 per cent of Black pensioners compared to 16 per cent of White pensioners).

Pensioners who rent their homes are also much more likely to be in poverty than those who own their home outright (38 per cent of private tenants and 36 per cent of social rented tenants compared to 14 per cent of homeowners).

Drawing attention to what it means to be an older person living in poverty, the report includes heart-breaking reports from pensioners around the country. Around 3,000 of the Charity’s campaigners have been in touch to tell their stories and Age UK’s national advice line hears from thousands of people every year who are worried about older relatives and friends who are struggling to make ends meet.

One person called the Charity about a relative in his 80s who was having problems with his electricity and could not afford the new fuse box needed. The family were in daily contact with him, but it was only when they visited and found him living in a cold, dark house that they realised what a desperate situation he was in, as he had not wanted to worry them. Another caller phoned to ask for help for their relative: a man who was nearly 90 and lived alone had a leaking roof which had recently soaked his staircase. Despite receiving Pension Credit, he still could not afford to get it fixed.

Age UK is calling on the Government to set out a clear reform programme, in partnership with third sector organisations and others, to end poverty in later life.  

On the day that MPs are debating the suspension of the triple lock – which was put in place by the coalition government in 2010 to protect the value of the State Pension for current and future pensioners – the Charity is urging the Government to ensure the State Pension system provides an income which, at the very least, covers the cost of basic needs such as food, clothing and heating. To date the triple lock has increased the level of the State Pension year on year but, with so many pensioners still struggling to make ends meet, its job is far from done.

Age UK is highlighting the importance of the triple lock for those who rely heavily on the State Pension now, as well as others in their 50s and early 60s who could end up receiving a significantly lower State Pension if its value is allowed to erode. This in turn would increase the need for means-tested benefits and additional financial support, such as the Winter Fuel Payment.

The Charity is also calling for financial disadvantage to be addressed through good social support, affordable essential goods and services and access to information, advice, and practical help to enable people to maximise their income. The report shows that financial disadvantage is not just about money coming in – it is much harder to manage on a modest income when people have extra costs due to disability or care needs. The extra costs that tend to come along as we age are often overlooked during debates about poverty, but in practice they are often a big factor behind the financial problems some older people face.

  • The Charity is urging anyone who is worried about money or who may be entitled to claim benefits to get in touch by calling the Age UK Advice line free of charge on 0800 169 65 65 (8am-7pm), visiting www.ageuk.org.uk/money or contacting their local Age UK for free information and advice.

Part of a longer press release at https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2021/new-age-uk-analysis-finds-one-in-five-uk-women-pensioners-now-living-in-poverty/

 

September 20, 2021