Shocking new figures reveal extent of children living in poverty on Wearside
Shocking new statistics show that one in three children in Easington - 33.4% - are growing up in poverty.
The figures provided by the North East Child Poverty Commission also showed 29.7% of children in Sunderland and 29.2% of children in Durham City are living in poverty.
This compares to 27% nationally, which equates to 4 million children.
According to the Commission, living in poverty could mean “families using food banks to feed their children, accessing baby banks so infants don’t go without essentials like clothes or nappies, or children and young people growing up in cold and unsafe homes”.
Responding to the situation in Easington and Durham City, Cllr Cathy Hunt, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Tackling child poverty requires a collective, multi-agency response.
“We have a child poverty working group where we come together with schools, our family hubs, housing providers, and charities and organisations to provide support to families.
“As part of this work we carry out targeted support within communities such as Easington. This includes the provision of free food parcels and essential items, Fun and Food holiday activities, budgeting support, and directing people to specialist help.
“Behind every statistic is a child and family in need, and one child in poverty is one too many. We’re committed to working in partnership to address current levels of child poverty and creating opportunities for our young people to grow and thrive.”
Council responds to child poverty rates in Sunderland
With child poverty rates in Sunderland at alomost one in every three children, City Council chiefs have said they’re “determined” to tackle the issue and have cited a number of measures they’ve put in place.
A spokesperson said: “Child poverty isn’t a new issue, and it affects many areas, not just Sunderland.
“Every day, too many families face daily struggles to meet needs and opportunities.
“In the last three years five new family hubs have opened offering support with parenting classes, play groups, health and financial wellbeing advice, plus education and employment support.
“The City Council and its partners are continuing this work on reducing child poverty, including a new strategy agreed earlier this year.
“This Sunderland Child Poverty Strategy sets out how we are also stepping up support for whole families.
“Its themes and action include helping parents build up their skills, improving education, and supporting more young people into work or training.
“We’re determined to continue work on making our city and region into a place where every baby, child and young person is supported to thrive and achieve their potential regardless of background.”
The Commission has welcomed the Government’s decision to abolish the two child benefit cap, legislation which came into force in on Monday (April 6).
Suzanne Jobson, Vice Chair of the Commission, said: “Scrapping the two-child limit and expanding free school meals – the two flagship measures in the new national child poverty strategy – are hugely important and welcome, but the Government cannot stop there if we are to expand opportunities for all babies, children and young people growing up across the North East.”