In the Victorian cobbled streets of Newport, Middlesbrough, a modern-day crisis is unfolding. Here, a staggering six out of every seven children are classified as living in poverty, a figure that feels as if it belongs to a bygone era.
A Policy's Direct Impact on Families
The situation is particularly acute in the wider constituency of Middlesbrough and Thornaby East, where more than half of all children are growing up in poverty. As the government prepares to release a long-awaited new strategy on child poverty, much of the focus is on the controversial two-child cap on benefits. Researchers have identified a direct link between areas with the highest child poverty rates and those most affected by this policy.
For local families like Gemma Grafton and Lee Stevenson, this is not an abstract statistic. The couple recently welcomed their third child, three-month-old Ivie. Because of the two-child cap, they receive no additional Universal Credit to support her. "You don't seem to have enough money some months to cover the basics," said Lee. The financial strain is so severe that Gemma has to tell her older children to limit how much they eat. "We've got to say 'Try and calm down on what you're eating' because we haven't got the money to go and get shopping in," she added.
The family's housing is also at risk, having been forced to pay only half their rent one month, a situation they describe as incredibly stressful.
The Ripple Effects on Children and Communities
The consequences of this widespread poverty extend far beyond empty cupboards. At Dormanstown Primary Academy, located in the shadow of a former steelworks, the staff see the daily impact on their pupils. "A child who hasn't been able to sleep properly can't concentrate," explained Katrina Morley, the academy's chief executive. "A child who is hungry can't access the whole of life." She emphasised the profound developmental damage, stating that hardship affects a child's emotional sense, brain development, and self-worth.
Even the children themselves are acutely aware of their circumstances. Ten-year-old pupils at the school voiced their fears openly. "I worry about if we have nowhere to live and if we haven't got enough money to pay for our home," said Mark. Another pupil, Leo, noted the visible homelessness in the area, saying, "I think it actually happens more often than most people think... near the town, there's people on the streets and they have nowhere to go."
The desperation has created a fertile ground for exploitation. Tracey Godfrey-Harrison, project manager at the Middlesbrough Food Bank, revealed that they are in a battle with child criminal exploitation gangs who target vulnerable children. "Parents are crying that they're failing because they can't provide for their children," she said. "In today's society, it's disgraceful that anyone should have to cry because they don't have enough."
A Community's Plea for Change
The demand for essential items is overwhelming local support services. In just the last 11 months, more than 50 families have registered for help at Barney's Baby Bank, which provides nappies, clothing, and other necessities. Its founder, Debbie Smith, cited low wages, high unemployment, job insecurity, and the two-child benefit cap as the root causes. She expressed a feeling of neglect, stating, "Middlesbrough does feel ignored."
This sentiment is echoed by those on the frontline. Tracey Godfrey-Harrison issued a direct challenge to policymakers: "Come and do my job for a week and see the need and the desperation the people are in. There needs to be more done for people in Middlesbrough."
In response to the crisis, a government spokesperson stated: "Every child, no matter their background, deserves the best start in life." They pointed to the forthcoming Child Poverty Taskforce strategy and investments including £500m for family hubs, extended free school meals, and a £1bn crisis support package.
As ministers finalise their plans, the community in Newport waits, hoping that the ambitious strategy will address the structural causes of a poverty rate that is blighting the futures of its youngest residents.
