Brian Cox delves into ‘brutal’ childhood poverty experience as he makes urgent demand over controversial benefit shake-up
Actor Brian Cox has called on the UK Government to take action on childhood poverty, citing his own experience of its “brutal reality” during his youth.
The 78-year-old’s intervention comes as the government introduces stricter eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and changes to Universal Credit that may affect vulnerable families.
Cox has written an open letter urging the Government to work with devolved administrations, such as his native Scotland, to help the 4.3 million children currently living in poverty across the UK.
In his plea to the government, Cox shared how poverty impacted his own childhood after a family tragedy.
“As the youngest of five children, I had a blissful childhood until my father tragically died when I was eight,” he wrote.
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“Overnight, our world changed, and we were plunged into poverty. I experienced first-hand how poverty doesn’t just take away comforts, it also steals your childhood and hope for the future.”
The actor noted he was “one of the lucky ones” who managed to turn his life around, but acknowledged that today’s families face even greater challenges.
“I know that today, the odds are stacked high against families who are trying to do the same,” he observed.
Cox painted a vivid picture of childhood poverty in Britain today.
“Right now, 4.3 million children in the UK are living in poverty – a staggering nine in every classroom of 30.
“These aren’t just statistics; they are children whose futures are being dimmed by a system that is failing them,” he added.
Cox urged the public to sign Action For Children’s open letter calling for every child to have a childhood free from “the stubborn grip of poverty.”
“The challenge isn’t just a moral one, it’s also an investment in our country’s future,” the 78-year-old declared.
The Paying The Price campaign letter calls for specific targets to address child poverty in the UK. It urges the Government to lift more than one million children out of poverty by 2030.
The campaign also aims to halve child poverty within 20 years, ahead of the publication of the Government’s new child poverty strategy.
Universal Credit allowance will increase by £775 per year by 2029-30. However, this comes with more frequent reviews to assess whether claimants still meet eligibility criteria.
New claimants will receive a lower health element but a higher standard allowance.
Also planned are stricter eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). PIP is a the primary disability benefit administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The changes make it harder for new applicants to qualify and for existing recipients to maintain their payments.
