A new report reveals alarming child poverty rates in Greater Manchester. Many kids are struggling, and experts say urgent action is needed to tackle this issue.
Greater Manchester: A recent report shows that over half of the kids in some areas are living in poverty. It’s a tough situation, and it’s getting worse.
The annual UK Poverty report highlights a growing divide in poverty rates. The North West has the second highest poverty rate in the country, with 1.8 million households struggling.
In fact, more than one in three kids in the region are expected to live in poverty. The current rate is around 38.4 percent, and it’s likely to stay that way for the next few years.
Experts from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation say that just hoping for economic growth won’t solve the problem. They found that only Scotland might see a drop in child poverty by 2029, while five regions in England could see increases.
Some areas with the highest child poverty rates include Oldham West, Manchester Rusholme, and Oldham East. England has the highest child poverty rate among the four nations at 30 percent.
While poverty rates have improved in some areas over the last 25 years, they’ve remained stagnant in others. The report notes that any improvements are mostly due to a drop in pensioner poverty.
After ignoring calls to remove the two-child benefit cap, the new Labour government has formed a child poverty taskforce. They plan to release a strategy this spring to tackle child poverty across the UK.
Paul Kissack, the chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, emphasized that rising poverty is holding back growth and opportunities. Kids can’t learn if they’re missing basic needs.
Poverty can also lead to health issues, putting more pressure on the NHS. To really make a difference, focused policy action is essential. Strong economic growth alone won’t change the situation.
He believes that the social security system needs a major overhaul. Right now, it’s failing to help people and, in some cases, pushing them deeper into poverty.
However, he’s optimistic that meaningful change is possible. The public wants everyone to afford the essentials, and the government has a chance to show it cares with its upcoming child poverty strategy.
Any effective strategy must rebuild the broken social security system. The future of millions of children depends on it, along with the government’s goals for better living standards.
A government spokesperson stated that no child should live in poverty. They’re exploring all options to give kids the best start in life while working to improve living standards across the country.
They’re also increasing the Living Wage and supporting low-income families with children through various initiatives. It’s a step in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go.
