Over A Third of Local Children Live In Poverty

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According to research carried out by child welfare organisation

Figures revealed by a child welfare charity have revealed that almost a quarter of local children are living in poverty.
The research conducted by Campaign to End Child Poverty showed that 24% Brentford and Isleworth’s (the constituency that covers part of Chiswick) children are from families living on out of work benefits. The percentage for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush was even greater at 35%.

More than 120 children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others have joined together to form the Campaign to End Child Poverty to ensure that the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK are reduced.

The Government has made a promise to halve child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020 but in order to do so; the campaign believes there needs to be improved benefits and child tax credits, in addition to providing better housing.

Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush MP Andrew Slaughter said, "I haven't seen these figures so would need to check them. However, I do support the ECP campaign and you will find that most of my contributions locally and in Parliament are on related issues - at present I am particularly concerned about the decline in affordable house building, the cuts in council services, the failure to give new jobs to local people - notably at Westfield - and the cut in jobs at both councils.”

“Much of the infrastructure that supports families in need - social services, voluntary organisations, advice services - is being systematically cut back." He added.

We are still awaiting a response from Ann Keen MP on her constituency’s figures however; other notable local residents have been more vocal in their support for the campaign.

Sophie Ellis Bextor said, “3.9 million children in the UK are living in poverty. As a mother, I find this a doubly heartbreaking fact. Every day children face the stigma of not being able to have things that most of us take for granted, such as decent healthy meals, family days out or a place to do their homework.

“What many people don’t realise is that poverty isn’t about not having money for possessions such as the latest trainers or mobile phone, it’s about being far below the normal standard of living. It’s shameful to think that’s the legacy the fifth richest country offers to our future generations.”

Konnie Huq said, "I've travelled to places in the world where I've seen first hand the effects poverty has on the lives of children. It's shocking. It's also terrible that there are so many children in the UK, the fifth richest nation in the world, living in poverty.

Further details of the campaign can be found at http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/

October 15, 2008