Children in England are living in ‘Dickensian levels’ of poverty

The recent press notice from the Children’s Commissioner for England highlights a deeply concerning issue: children in England are living in ‘Dickensian levels’ of poverty, with their basic needs unmet. The report reveals harrowing accounts from children facing unsafe housing, food insecurity, and barriers to education. Many children have normalised deprivation, expressing a clear understanding of systemic failures and calling for more accessible and compassionate support and services.

Key points from the report include:

• Children are going without basic needs such as heating, a place to wash, somewhere to eat breakfast, or safe transport to school.
• Testimonies from children illustrate the stark reality of living on a low income in 2025, with many feeling ashamed and stigmatised for having less than their peers.
• The Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, has set out practical recommendations for tackling and ending child poverty. These recommendations have been shared with the government’s Child Poverty Unit to shape its forthcoming strategy.
• Recommendations include the introduction of a ‘triple-lock’ on all child-related benefits, free bus travel for all school-age children, priority housing for children in low-income households, and auto-enrolment for free school meals for all eligible children.

At Charity Link we welcome this report and its recommendations. The stories of children living in poverty, as highlighted in the report, are stories we hear on a daily basis. We see firsthand the impact of poverty on children’s lives and the urgent need for systemic change to ensure that no child has to endure such hardship. The recommendations put forth by the Children’s Commissioner align with our mission to support vulnerable children and families, and we are committed to advocating for these changes to be implemented.

It is also timely to highlight information released from The Charity Commission showing that charities are now supporting three times as many people with essential aid – whilst the sector itself faces increased financial pressure.

 The Charity Commission’s annual public and trustee research reveals a stark long-term rise in people seeking charitable support amid continued high levels of public trust in charities. The research indicates that in the last year, 9% of people received food, medical, or financial support from charitable organisations, compared to 3% five years ago.

However, the sector is struggling – with a decline in donations and many charities being forced to make changes due to cost-of-living pressures.

These findings highlight the central role of the charitable sector at a time of significant pressures in wider society. Charities are providing a vital lifeline to an increasing number of people, while simultaneously navigating their own financial challenges as donors feel the pinch. 

As we approach our 150th birthday next year, we know that our work is as vital as it was in 1876 – but we do need support. Whilst we help thousands of people each year, we do not have the funds to support everyone who is referred to us for support, and we want to do more.

If you would like to donate you can do so here, or there is lots of information online on how you can get involved to make a difference.