I couldn't meet them. I would feel I was exploiting somebody's desperation.
One could argue that contradicts this recent post of yours:
I'm not looking for the type of connection where I am the slightest bit interested in empathetic emotions rather the function in itself. Easier that way ...
Anyway, all escorts are desperate for cash (same with anyone who works for a living) it's just that some are more desperate than others. I personally don't see any point in trying to figure out some arbitrary line I wouldn't cross based on a girl's desperation or situation. Besides, no girl has to do it (except those coerced), they choose to do it (even though they'd rather not, they'd rather have the money even more, as with virtually all WGs). Also, by not seeing them you're certainly not helping them. I also presume you don't consider yourself to be a difficult, nasty or unclean punter so there's no reason why having sex with you would be any worse than any other punter, indeed it would hopefully be amongst the best/easiest experiences for her.
I'd also not take anything they say too seriously, some girls just try to take advantage of soft punters by creating a sop story. I'd first need to see it to believe it (and even then they could still be lying) and by the time I've seen it, I'd already be there with full balls and the cash burning a hole in my wallet, so unless there's signs of coercion/pimping, I doubt I'd walk.
I know girls who have gone on Seeking Arrangement because they need the money to 'survive'. In one case, the girl was living in a women's shelter and was desperate to get out, but could not get a job as that would have meant losing the right to live in the shelter. She was basically stuck there until she could get together enough money to find a place to live, which was never going to happen whilst she was on benefits. It was a ridiculous situation to be in, really.
Yeah, that is ridiculous. However I'm surprised the benefits, especially housing benefit, as well as other support from the council and things like crisis loans from the DWP etc. wouldn't allow her to get set up somewhere else (renting of course).
Anyway, getting back to the OP, cases like those are clearly very rare. In my neck of the woods I've not noticed any particular increase in the number of escorts (both incall and outcall), certainly not British ones.