One in three: taking action on early childhood poverty

Nearly one in three children live in relative poverty in the UK and families where the youngest child is under five are particularly badly affected. Experiencing poverty at the start of life can have potentially profound effects on children’s long-term well-being and opportunities. The impact of COVID-19 presents a further risk, as existing inequalities have intensified, and new ones have emerged.

This webinar explored the causes, patterns and solutions to early childhood poverty and how they have become more complex and interlinked over the last two decades. Carey Oppenheim presented insights from a new evidence review in our Changing face of early childhood series, which draws on research funded by the Nuffield Foundation as well as other key studies and data. In addition to providing analysis of patterns in early childhood poverty, the review explores gaps in the research agenda, difficult questions and policy priorities. We also heard from Sarah Cattan, Associate Director at the IFS and Hashi Mohamed, Barrister, Broadcaster and Author of People Like Us: What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain. 

Our Changing face of early childhood series seeks to generate an informed debate on early childhood based on what the collective evidence tells us. In addition to publishing a series of robust and accessible evidence reviews, we are providing a forum for further engagement through our events programme and additional commentary on our website. 

We value input and feedback on the series as it progresses and the responses we receive will inform the concluding review. Ultimately, we want this series to contribute to significant and lasting change for young children and their families. We are interested to hear your feedback on the questions raised in our series.