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More than 1 million UK children experienced destitution last year, study finds
More than 1 million children experienced destitution last year – meaning their families could not afford to adequately feed, clothe or clean them, or keep them warm – according to a major study which reveals an explosion of extreme poverty in the UK.
Severe material hardship was “no longer a rare occurrence”, the study found, with rates of destitution more than doubling in the last five years as a result of benefit cuts and cost of living pressures, leaving struggling households increasingly reliant on regular charity handouts.
An estimated 1.8m UK households containing nearly 3.8 million people, including 1 million children, were destitute at some point in 2022, according to the study, published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF). Half of destitute households tried to get by on less than £85 a week after housing costs, with a quarter reporting no income at all.
JRF’s chief executive, Paul Kissack, criticised the government for in effect ignoring the rise in destitution. “The government is not helpless to act; it is choosing not to,” he said. “Turning the tide on destitution is an urgent moral mission, which speaks to our basic humanity as a country, and we need political leadership for that mission.”
Destitution – once largely limited to immigrants ineligible for social security support – was now predominantly experienced by UK nationals in receipt of welfare benefits, and increasingly by families, the study revealed. One in 10 destitute households included working adults.
Disabled people and people with long-term chronic health conditions, and Black British, Caribbean and African households, were disproportionately likely to be destitute. The number of destitute lone parents almost tripled between 2019 and 2022, while the number of children experiencing destitution has tripled since 2017.
The erosion of state support for people in severe hardship, and their growing reliance on informal help from charities and parents, was one of the most striking aspects of the research, the study said. More than 574,000 destitute people were supported by food banks in 2022, up from 214,000 in 2019.
Source: The Guardian, 24 October 2023
See also: Joseph Rowntree Foundation study - Destitution in the UK 2023
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Inequality leaving 115,000 dementia cases ‘undiagnosed’ in England
More than 115,000 people with dementia are going undiagnosed because of where they live, analysis of official figures shows.
The number of adults living with dementia worldwide is on course to nearly triple to 153 million by 2050. In England, the NHS calculates that more than 700,000 people over 65 have dementia.
But analysis of NHS primary care dementia figures released last week reveals startling regional variation in diagnosis rates, with a 45 percentage point difference between the top and bottom performers. In all only 459,000 people in England actually have a recorded diagnosis, leaving more than 255,000 patients living with dementia without one.
More than half of areas are failing to meet the government’s target dementia diagnosis rates of 66.7% by April 2024, while seven towns and districts have rates below 50%, including South Hams (44%) and Tonbridge and Malling (48%). In contrast, 90% of patients with dementia in Stoke-on-Trent have a diagnosis, while Nottingham, Rotherham and Southend also have rates above 80%.
It means that more than 115,000 people are missing out on a diagnosis because of where they live. If all areas had the same average diagnosis rates of 80% as the highest performers do, then 115,826 extra patients would know they have the condition.
The figures come as a report by the all-party parliamentary group on dementia found that, although dementia may be more prevalent in deprived and rural areas, only about a quarter of the variation can be explained by the level of deprivation or rurality.
It found a range of structural issues could prevent patients seeking or obtaining a diagnosis, including cultural barriers, difficulties in seeing a GP, long waits for memory assessment, lack of post-diagnostic support, insufficient scanners and problems travelling to appointments.
Source: The Guardian, 23 October 2023
See also: NHS Primary Care Dementia Data
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Australia: NSW Government roundtable to tackle vaping in schools
Out of the more than 7,350 teens across NSW and SA, 25% use vapes or have at least tried vaping, research shows. In recent years, schools have observed an alarming rise in youth vaping, leading to increased concerns about the true impact these devices are having on their students' respiratory health.
To address this issue, principals, students, health experts, and other key stakeholders will soon converge at the NSW Government’s Vaping Roundtable on 16 November.
“We’re committed to addressing the prevalence of vaping in NSW schools. The evidence suggests that vaping is now becoming a gateway for an increase in smoking rates in young people,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“This is a way to hear directly from schools, health experts and other key stakeholders on how we can begin to address this serious health issue in our schools.”
Minister for Health and Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park said the Minns Labor Government is “committed to doing all it can” to protect NSW students from the dangers posed by vaping.
“We know the number of young people vaping is growing, and it’s important we move ahead with an evidenced-based measures to tackle this concerning issue,” Park said.
“It’s important we take the time to consult with experts as we formulate the best step forward as we look to curb the issue of vaping within our schools.”
Source: The Educator, 24 October 2023
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