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Shocking new figures released by the End Child Poverty Campaign
show three in 10 children in the Yorkshire and Humber are region are now classed as living
on or below the poverty line.
The charity considers a household to be on or below the poverty
line if its income is 60 per cent below the average income for that type of household. For example, a lone parent with two
children would be classed as being on the poverty line if they had an income of £175 a week, after their rent or mortgage
has been paid.
Ray Kennedy, chairman of the Crosby Community Association (CCA), said he
had set up the group in a bid to reduce poverty in the region.
"I think it's scandalous.
We're in the 21st century and we still have people living in, not absolute poverty, but still in poverty," he said.
"At the end of the day, we as a society should be responsible for our neighbours and for the rest of society.
"I believe politicians are ignoring the issue and not doing enough to help people who are in poverty.
"That's why the CCA was set up, to help people who are in poverty.
"In North Lincolnshire we have some of the worst council housing in the country, and because people can't
afford decent housing it leads to all kinds of other problems."
Figures from North Lincolnshire
Primary Care Trust show there are health problems associated with living in poverty.
The
annual public health report shows a man living in Crosby has a life expectancy of just 67
years, while a woman will live to 78.
Across town in Bottesford a man can expect to live
to 78 years, while a woman can expect 81 years.
People living in areas such as Frodingham
were more likely to die of coronary heart disease (CHD) than people living in Bottesford.
Teenage
pregnancies are also higher in the more deprived areas of town, with between nine and 12 per cent of girls in Frodingham conceiving
between the ages of 15 and 17.
Sarah Wells, link worker for Crosby Bridge Healthy Living Project, said the project had been set up to combat this
problem.
The project was funded by the lottery's New Opportunities Fund and aims to improve
the health and wellbeing of the people of Crosby.
She
said: "We have been overwhelmed at the response we have had from the public who have welcomed the Crosby
Bridge project.
"The Pop-In Place is open five days a week, from 9am to 4.30pm, and anyone is welcome to call
in for further information or advice."
Coun Frances Delaney, who represents Brumby ward,
said she was not surprised by the figures, but she felt the Government was doing all it could to eradicate child poverty.
"The Government pledged to absolutely slash child poverty and I believe to reduce it altogether by 2020," she
said.
"I would like to impress on people the importance of families ensuring they are claiming
all they are entitled to because the Government has brought in extra benefits, like Working Family Tax Credit.
"We all have concerns about children who are living in poverty, but I can't see what else the Government can
do - its schemes are all long-term, designed to improve the situation."
End Child Poverty
director Jonathan Stearn said: "It is appalling that in Britain
in 2005 there are children whose parents cannot afford even the basic necessities others take for granted, such as a warm
winter coat and three meals a day.
"We are seeing a new determination to tackle poverty
but it is vital we keep up the pressure on the Government to stick to its pledge to eradicate poverty by 2020.
"Our new 10-point Charter provides the way forward." |
