Almost 4 million children in UK affected by economic abuse, charity finds

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Aneesa AhmedDecember 2, 2025 at 01:01 AM

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A charity has found that almost 4 million children in the UK are affected by economic abuse in their families. The research, conducted by Surviving Economic Abuse, revealed that 27% of mothers with children under 18 experienced behavior considered to be economic abuse over the past year. Perpetrators used various means, including controlling bank accounts and child benefits, and refusing to pay child maintenance. As a result, some children are missing out on essentials like clothes and food. The charity's chief executive says that economic abuse is a form of coercive control that harms children every day. The research highlights the need for the government to prioritize tackling economic abuse and close loopholes in systems like child maintenance.