Children’s charity Buttle responds to Andy Burnham’s speech- 29th June

Although child poverty and crisis was not pin-pointed directly, the goals below would all positively impact the children, young people and families we support:

• Prioritising building more council housing
• Raising living standards
• Tackling youth unemployment by creating parity between academic and technical education
• Immediately giving people some “breathing space” on the cost of living
• Protecting green spaces from development
• Bringing down the cost of utilities through ‘greater public control’

These changes would make a massive difference to the children and young people we support by addressing the root causes of isolation and anxiety. Our research shows that 81% of families experiencing destitution cannot afford enough gas or electricity for their homes. 60% of parents said that the cost-of-living crisis had worsened their children’s friendships and social skills. 

When a family is given “breathing space” and lower utility bills, it lifts a heavy weight of survival anxiety off a child’s shoulders. Combined with secure council housing and protected green spaces, it transforms a child’s daily life from one of isolation to one of opportunity—giving them the safe environment and community spaces they need to play, make friends, and simply enjoy being children.

A young person who had to cut ties with their family that we supported had this to say about how their grant from Buttle gave them “breathing space”:

With the grant I did 3 main things

1. Bought a bicycle-This bicycle  which I know call my mini car has helped me move from one place to another easily and becoming more active cycling and getting to my gym sessions.Where I met many people of different ages and were welcoming and polite

2. I bought new football shoes and clothes. Which contributed to my playing of regular weekly football where I made good friends.

3. A matchday trip to Etihad stadium. I went to watch the stars play with my friends and it was super awesome.”

Our Director of Grants Development, Kamna Muralidharan said:

“While child poverty wasn’t explicitly named today, the structural issues from housing insecurity to stagnant living standards are exactly what keep families locked in deep poverty. Our work shows how vital a safe, comfortable home is for a child’s development, sense of self, and safety.

Andy Burnham’s focus on giving people ‘breathing space’ is so important. Families deserve some relief and the chance to experience joy and hope. We welcome the ambition to reshape these systems and are committed to sharing our unique insights and the voices of young people with lived experience to help build these foundations.”