Childhood Poverty Through To Life

People who grow up in poverty are likely to experience poverty in later life, according to a new study.

Researchers at the London School of Economics, who conducted the study for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, found a link between childhood poverty and its continuing persistence across adulthood.

The study said the impact of being poor as teenagers continues to affect individuals as they grow into middle age.

And the trend seems to be worsening. In the 1980s the increased likelihood of poverty for adults in their early 30s who were poor teenagers was twice as strong as it was for the 1970s.

"Our research shows that there is no quick fix to ending these enduring patterns of poverty across generations," said report author Jo Blanden.

The report also suggests that poverty is also linked to low educational standards, unemployment, and impoverished areas and not just a simple case of a lack of money.

"It highlights the importance of the policy agenda to reduce child poverty and disadvantage but also show that this cannot be done through income transfers alone," said Ms Blanden.