Despite careful budgeting, many families working in horticulture are finding it difficult to meet the everyday costs of raising a family. According to a report by The Trussell Trust in May 2021, there was a 49% increase in the number of children supported by their food banks over a year from March 2018-19 and March 2019-20. The COVID-19 pandemic will have exasperated an already critical situation for many families as reported by The Children’s Society.
Government support can include free school meals, school uniform and financial assistance, but many parents are not aware that they may be eligible or how to access it. With significant variations in the system both across local authority areas of England and across Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland parents also face a postcode lottery.
But help is available, and Perennial is here to help people working in horticulture to access the support they are entitled to. The professional and friendly team at Perennial can help families access government support and financial assistance, where at least one parent or carer works in horticulture. Parents are encouraged to act now to ensure that they don’t miss out by calling the Perennial helpline on 0800 093 8543 or visiting their website to find out more about how they can meet the costs of child’s schooling and plan ahead for the future.
Last year Colin, award-winning fuchsia nurseryman from Wales, received support for his family from Perennial after the coronavirus devastated his livelihood:
“Overnight our family business for over 40 years was decimated. I had spent a lot of money growing the plants over the winter and with all the major flower shows such as Chelsea abandoned, we were left with no regular income and bills to pay. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of it and with a young family to support I knew I needed help.
Getting help from the professionals at Perennial was an absolute godsend. They got to know my situation and gave me advice on how to improve things for me and my family. The ‘Back to School’ support we received was a huge help – having not been at school for six months, the children had outgrown everything.
The support from Perennial during the coronavirus pandemic has been invaluable. It really helps just knowing that there is always someone at the end of the phone to talk things over.”
Looking ahead the government have announced the Education Act with the government due to set out new statutory guidance about the costs of school uniforms in the Autumn. The aim of the legislation is to keep the cost of school uniform more affordable for families.
Find out how Perennial can help at perennial.org.uk/SupportForFamilies.
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Commentary
Julia Hayne, Director of Services at Perennial says: “The cost of raising a family is rising but we’re not seeing wages increase at the same rate as essential outgoings and the situation has been made worse by the coronavirus crisis. We know many families are frustrated that, despite being in work and budgeting carefully, they are still struggling to meet the growing demands on their finances. We’re here to alleviate some of the pressure, taking the stress out of going back to school and helping families find financial solutions that will help them in the longer term.”
“We help families every day, often facing difficult challenges, providing a safety net for people working in any branch of horticulture. As your charity, we’re here to give you the help and support you need.”
#perennial #benefits #backtoschool #schoolcosts #familyfinances #perennialhelps #hortaid21 #supportforfamilies
About Perennial
Perennial is the UK’s only charity looking after people in horticulture and their families at any stage of life. If you work with flowers, plants, trees or grass our friendly and experienced team are here to deliver completely free, confidential and personal support. We understand the devastating impact unexpected personal challenges and financial pressures have on lives.
Perennial’s team is available to help people access statutory services and assistance as well as offering emergency relief and help. Everyone needs something different, the helpline is open Monday and Wednesday 10am – 5pm and Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am to 5pm or complete the contact us form on perennial.org.uk/supportforfamilies.
Yet many of the events and activities the charity would usually be using to raise funds for its free advice and support services have been cancelled or postponed. An emergency fundraising appeal, HortAid-21, has been launched to bridge the funding gap and offer some fun and easy ways for people to raise money for people in horticulture this year. Call Perennial’s helpline on 0800 093 8543 or visit perennial.org.uk for more details.
Fact Check
- The Trussell Trust State of Hunger Report 2021 reveals there was a 49% increase in the number of children supported by their food banks over a year from March 2018-19 and March 2019-20.
- According to the Department for Work and Pensions the total number of children living in relative poverty – classed as on or below 60% of the UK average household income after housing costs have been paid – was 4.2 million in 2018-19, up from 4.1 million the previous year, equating to roughly 30% of all children.
- The Children’s Society, The Impact of COVID on Children and Young People, 2020 reveals that the income of low earners is being affected the most by the pandemic
- Analysis by Child Poverty Action Group of the government ‘Household Below Average Income’ data (1994/95 to 2017/18) published in 2019 found that almost three-quarters of children in poverty come from families where at least one adult is working and of those with self-employed parents, 15% of children are living below the breadline: https://cpag.org.uk/news-blogs/news-listings/child-poverty-working-families-rise
- The Children’s Society report, The Wrong Blazer 2020: Time for action on school uniform costs, reveals families are spending an average of £337 per year for each child at secondary school whilst parents of primary school children spent on average £315. The Children’s Society has found that at school some children in poverty go hungry and face punishment for missing uniform or equipment their family simply can’t afford. The cost of school is having a deep emotional impact on children, nearly a quarter (23%) of parents said that the cost of school uniform had meant their child had worn ill-fitting, unclean or incorrect uniform. Based on the number of children in state-maintained schools in England (8.1 million), this refers to an estimated 1.8 million children.
- The Wrong Blazer 2020 report also finds that parents of secondary age children pay the most for different items of clothing with coats and bags the most expensive items, both costing £52 annually for each child. They are followed by school shoes averaging at £47 each per year and PE kit (shoes / boots) at £45. Blazers and PE kits (PE t-shirts, shorts, jogging bottoms, skirts) are also expensive with an average price tag of £41 and £40 respectively for secondary school pupils.
- A snapshot survey by the National Education Union (NEU) in 2019 reveals the extent to which poverty is damaging the educational opportunities for children from poor families. A staggering 87% of respondents say that poverty is having a significant impact on the learning of their pupils and students and 60% believe that the situation has worsened since 2015. “Heart breaking” was the description most commonly used to describe the critical situation of many poor children and families. Teachers described children wearing worn-out shoes and unable to do homework because they have no stationery.
- CPAG / NEU Child poverty and education: A survey of the experiences of NEU members – 2018 has found that children from poorer backgrounds lag at all stages of education. By the age of three, poorer children are estimated to be, on average, nine months behind children from more wealthy backgrounds.