As millions in the UK have been pushed in to poverty by the pandemic, charity present appeals are needed now more than ever
Every year, charities and other organisations up and down the country collect Christmas presents for children who might not otherwise receive anything. This year demand has dramatically increased – due to Covid-19. Almost 120,000 children in the UK have been plunged into poverty as a result of the pandemic, according to recent analysis, leaving many families facing their very first Christmas on benefits, while those who were already below the breadline have sunk even further into poverty.
Overall, the pandemic has pushed the total number of people in the UK living in poverty to more than 15 million – 23% of the population – according to analysis published by the Legatum Institute. The thinktank also found that an additional 700,000 people had been prevented from falling below the breadline thanks to the temporary £20-a-week boost to universal credit, introduced in April and due to end in April 2021. Anti-poverty campaigners are calling for the government to extend this and last week ministers said they would make a decision about it in January.
