Child poverty in the UK laid bare: At least 200,000 babies and children supported by baby banks in the last year

 

• New figures from 148 baby banks show 199,180 babies & children supported in 2023
• Baby banks saw 54% increase in demand for their services between 2021 – 2023
• Newly-formed Baby Bank Alliance joins calls to scrap unfair two-child limit policy

 

At least 200,000 babies and children* in poverty across the UK** have been supported by a baby bank in the last year, new data from the Baby Bank Alliance reveals.

With 4.3 million children now living in poverty and 1 million in destitution [2], baby banks have responded by giving families 99,000 bundles of clothes to keep children warm, over 100,000 books and over 20,000 safe places to sleep.

The findings paint a concerning picture as the Baby Bank Alliance today joins calls for the UK government to abolish the cruel two-child limit, one of the main drivers of rising child poverty in the country. Baby banks have seen a 54.4% increase in referrals for their services between 2021 and 2023.

Figures from 148 baby banks reveal 199,180 babies and children living in poverty across the UK and the Channel Islands have been supported by one in 2023 alone. With over 300 baby banks in the UK, the alliance estimates they have helped at least tens of thousands more. Baby banks supported 161,496 children in England, 11,889 in Wales, 15,546 in Scotland and 8,973 in Northern Ireland.

Babies and children have been deeply affected by the worst cost of living crisis in 40 years following a devastating pandemic, impacting their development and lifelong health. The two-child limit has exacerbated these crises for families.

To help tackle the rising tide of poverty, baby banks are supporting their communities with pre-loved essentials like baby clothes, children’s toys, beds and buggies.

Often run by volunteers out of community halls, garages, warehouses and even living rooms, baby banks support families not only by providing essentials within their community but through creating welcoming spaces. They are a place to connect to relieve the stresses and strains of being a parent and alleviate the ongoing pressure of the cost of living. And they encourage other families to donate pre-loved items, creating a more sustainable world.

Hannah Pentith, Executive Lead of the Baby Bank Alliance, said:

“These new figures reveal the shocking scale of child poverty in the UK and the urgency of action needed to tackle it. Bringing a child into the world is one of the most precious moments for any parent, and yet so many begin this journey without the essentials every baby needs. It’s unacceptable that parents or carers should be agonising over the cost of everyday items.

“Some children don’t have the little things we all take for granted every day; a book to read, a warm blanket to cuddle up with or a pram so mum or dad can take them to the park. The impact of this can follow a child for the rest of their lives.

“Baby banks are stepping up by normalising reuse of essentials, protecting our planet, alleviating the impact of material deprivation and building a community to help each other through difficult times.”

The Alliance is the first of its kind, with over 150 baby bank members and growing. Formed by Save the Children UK, Purposeful Ventures, Little Village and the Baby Bank Network Bristol, the alliance increases access to funding, goods and volunteers for the 300-plus baby banks in the UK. It also provides training and resources they need to run effectively to continue to meet the rising needs of families in their local communities.

 Sophie Livingstone, Chair of the Baby Bank Alliance, said:  

“Unfortunately, today’s figures aren’t a surprise – we want the surprise to be a significant commitment to tackling child poverty from our new government, starting by putting an end to the two-child limit.

“All children should have a safe place to sleep, warm clothes, shoes that fit. Yet with low wages, insecure work prospects and unaffordable childcare, far too many families are struggling to afford these vital things. Without baby banks across the UK providing this incredible safety net, thousands of children would be missing out.

“The Baby Bank Alliance’s mission is to support and advocate for UK baby banks so that every child has the essentials they need to thrive. There is power in our numbers. With stubbornly high child poverty rates, there has never been a more important time for baby banks to unite so they can keep reaching the families that need them and to make sure the new UK government makes tackling child poverty the priority it should be.”

 

 

*Babies and children supported by the 148 baby banks range from ages 0 months – 16 years

**And the Channel Islands, where an estimated 1,277 babies and children were supported in 2023