Single Mothers on the Frontline of the Cost of Living Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The cost of living crisis has pushed many single mothers to the brink, with half of all children in lone-parent families living in relative poverty. Despite their tireless efforts to provide for their children, single mothers are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of essentials like food, energy, and housing. The situation is particularly dire for those living in rented accommodation and with young children, who are most vulnerable to the impacts of austerity-driven cuts to benefits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Half of all children in lone-parent families are living in relative poverty, with a significant increase in relative poverty for children in lone-parent families compared to other households.
  • Single mothers are struggling to cope with the shocks of the pandemic and rising prices of basics, following cuts to state support by successive Conservative governments.
  • Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that relative poverty for children in lone-parent families rose by nine percentage points between 2013-14 and 2019-20 to reach 49%.
  • Single mothers are more likely to have experienced food insecurity and are struggling to afford basic necessities, including food, energy, and housing.
  • Charities warn that single mothers are suffering a heavier toll from soaring energy prices and the rising cost of a weekly shop.
  • The cost of living crisis has exacerbated the pain of a decade of austerity-driven cuts to benefits, leaving single parents among the most exposed to soaring inflation.

Statistics:

  • Relative poverty for children in lone-parent families has risen at a significantly faster rate compared with other households (9% increase between 2013-14 and 2019-20).
  • 49% of children in lone-parent families live in relative poverty (as of 2019-20).
  • The rate for children in two-parent families has risen by only 2% to reach 25%.
  • Single mothers are more likely to have experienced food insecurity ( exact statistic not specified).
  • The cost of energy prices has gone up by £200 a month for single mothers like Steph Owens.

Sources:

  • "I'm really feeling the squeeze": single mothers on the living costs crisis (block-time, published-time, 7.55am BST)
  • UK's poorest households 'brutally exposed' to cost of living crisis (block-time, published-time, 7.44am BST)
  • The Living Standards Audit 2022 (Resolution Foundation)
  • Half of all children in lone-parent families are in relative poverty (The Guardian, economics correspondent Richard Partington)
  • Research shared exclusively with the Guardian by the Institute for Fiscal Studies
  • UK motorists face disruption today amid widespread protests at rising petrol and diesel costs (The Guardian, news)