1 in 3 children in poverty ‘have parents born outside the UK’

Children in the UK whose parents were born overseas are more likely to be in poverty, a new report has found.

According to the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR):

• 1 in 3 children in poverty have parents born outside the UK
• almost half of families with parents born outside the UK are in poverty
• children in families with migrant parents are more than twice as likely to be in very deep poverty

The IPPR said children with migrant parents are also more likely than other children to not:

• have their own bedrooms
• go on school trips
• have a hobby
• have friends over
• celebrate special occasions
• eat nutritious food

Why are migrant families in poverty?

The IPPR warned that migrant families are “disproportionately affected” by poverty for many reasons, including:

• not being allowed to claim benefits, such as universal credit
• not being able to access social housing
• high visa and legal fees
• discrimination
• stigma
• language barriers

The IPPR has now urged the government to address issues in the migration system as part of its child poverty strategy

Amreen Qureshi, research fellow at IPPR, said: “Families who have lived, worked and contributed to the UK for years are being locked out of support and forced into poverty. 

“No child should go without food, clothing, or a safe home simply because of their parents’ immigration status.”

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