Third of children under 16 in poverty in West Midlands
Child poverty continues to rise in the West Midlands, with 34 per cent of under-16s in the region living in poverty after housing costs, according to research.
The new data shows the scale of the challenge faced by the Government if it is to realise its ambition to ‘build back better’ and level up opportunities for children across the UK.
The research by Loughborough University shows that, before the pandemic, in some parts of the West Midlands – such as the Parliamentary constituencies of Warley, Walsall South and West Bromwich West which are all in the top 10 for highest child poverty in the region – the majority of children were growing up in poverty, once housing costs are taken into account.
Additionally, in the last four years, child poverty has risen fastest in the UK in the Midlands.
The increase in child poverty after housing costs is partially explainable by rising rents over the last five years, experts say.
Many families find that once their housing costs are paid, they do not have enough money to meet their children’s needs and are left no option but to turn to crisis help, like food banks, and are increasingly reliant on free school meals.
Compassion
The End Child Poverty coalition, which published the research, is calling on the Government to recognise the scale of the problem and its impact on children’s lives.
They are urging the Government to set out a plan to tackle child poverty encompassing not only social security spending but the high cost of housing and childcare and investment in children’s services.
Thomas Lawson, chief executive at national charity Turn2us, said: “In 2001 our Government set a target to end child poverty by 2020. Yet here we are reporting once again that it is rising.
“Low wages, soaring rents and the stubbornly high cost of living is pulling families into poverty and drying up the opportunities of so many young people across the country – particularly in the West Midlands.
“If the Government truly believes in compassion and justice, ministers must first admit the problem then fully commit to solving it.
"We are urging the Prime Minister to listen to our recommendations.”
