Poverty Levels Among English Children Compared to Dickensian Era

Children in England are facing poverty levels akin to those described by Charles Dickens, according to the UK’s children’s commissioner, who emphasizes the urgent need to scrap the two-child benefit limit. In a recent report highlighting a “crisis of hardship,” young people share experiences of severe deprivation, including insufficient water for showers, vermin infestations, and moldy living conditions. Dame Rachel de Souza, who has taken notice of a significant shift in how children perceive their financial circumstances, calls for a change in policies to ensure a more equitable environment for all children. The current two-child limit on benefits is drawing criticism for its contribution to poverty among families, a situation that critics argue devastates the futures of many young people.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jul/08/children-england-living-almost-dickensian-levels-poverty