Examining child poverty and the families trying to escape it
In August 2011 the young people of Britain took to the streets and rioted. Many claimed poverty had driven them to the edge. 3.5 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK. It’s one of the worst rates in the industrialised world and successive governments continue to struggle to bring it into line. So who are these children and where are they living? Under represented, under nourished and often under the radar — 3.5 million children should be given a voice. And this powerful film does just that. Courtney aged 8, Paige 10 and Sam 11 live in different parts of the UK. Breathtakingly honest and eloquent they give testament to how having no money affects their lives: lack of food, being bullied and having nowhere to play. The children might be indignant about their situation now, but this may not be enough to help them. Their thoughts on their futures are sobering. Sam’s 16 year old sister Kayleigh puts it all into context, we learn how the affects of poverty led her to take extreme measures to try and escape it all.
