Izzy Lepone 12 May 2025

Number of children living in hygiene poverty surges

Number of children living in hygiene poverty surges image
© tomasz przywozny / Shutterstock.com.

A recent study has revealed a staggering number of children are living in hygiene poverty, with over one million children unable to access essential products such as shower gel, deodorant and toothpaste.

The report by charities In Kind Direct and Children North East suggests that 10% of children, or 845,000 young people in the UK, have not attended school due to hygiene-related reasons.

Amongst the young people living in hygiene poverty, 26% reported feeling less confident and 17% confirmed they feel embarrassed or ashamed due to their inability to clean themselves, resulting in a fear of social interaction and poor mental health.

Michael Gidney, CEO of charity In Kind Direct said: ‘Children are sharing toothbrushes, worrying about standing out at school for the wrong reasons and families are having to choose between eating and keeping clean – impossible choices no one should have to face.’

To combat the effects of hygiene poverty, the report recommended that the Government revokes the two-child limit and household benefit cap to increase the income of families in need.

The charities also urged local authorities to ensure sustainable initiatives to combat child poverty are established and regularly supervised to support those at risk in the community.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Social Worker - Adults Emergency Duty/Approved Mental Health Professional

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
£46,206 - £55,992
Senior Social Worker / Approved Mental ... Twickenham, Greater London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Care & Support Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£13.52ph
36 hours per week (12 hours day shifts). Operating on a 4 week rolling rota. The current rota for this position does not include any weekend working. The team will provide quality care for our people, specialising in rehabilitation/reablement and sub-acu Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Graduate Trainee Emergency Planning and Resilience Consultant

Essex County Council
£27055.00 - £31829.00 per annum
Are you a Graduate, looking to become part of a crucial, efficient and high achieving team? England, Essex, Chelmsford
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Finance Officer- Transactional Services

Essex County Council
£34121.00 - £40142.00 per annum
Senior Finance Officer- Transactional ServicesFixed Term, Full Time£34,121 up to £40,142 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 - £35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / Grade 11 - £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
Applications are invited for a Social Worker within the Durham and Chester le Street Locality Team, temporary until 30 September 2026 subject to the r Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner