'Shocking' report reveals Dewsbury as worst area for child poverty in Kirklees

The majority live in the north of the borough – in Dewsbury, Batley and Ravensthorpe – though parts of Huddersfield are also highlighted.

The number has been rising year-on-year, and is up from 22,607 in 2015.

The increase has been driven in particular by a sharp rise in the number of children living in poverty despite one or more of their parents working.

Some 20,402 of the children living below the poverty line in March 2019 were in working families – 72% of the total, and up from 15,488 in 2015.

The overall rise means that around one in every four children in Kirklees – 26% – is now living in poverty.

However, analysis of hyperlocal data – areas with a population of around 1,500 people each – also shows that the situation is even more stark in particular neighbourhoods.

The figures have been described as “shocking”, “heartbreaking” and “shameful” with Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman laying much of the blame for vulnerable people’s circumstances on the effects of austerity.

And Councillor Shabir Pandor, the leader of Kirklees Council, said the coronavirus crisis will have further detrimental effects on poverty and inequality.

He said it was vital to rebuild the economy and to work with the Government to plug the funding gap in children’s services to create a sustainable plan “that will work towards eradicating child poverty”.

In one part of Ravensthorpe (around Fir Parade and Leed Road), a shocking 57% of children are estimated to be living in poverty.

The figures include teenagers up to the age of 19 who are still living at home with their parents or carers and are in full-time education or training.

The proportions are estimates based on Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures on the number of children living in families with a household income of less than 60% of the UK average as of March 2019, and population estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as of mid-2018.

As such, they can only offer an approximation of the proportion of children living in poverty – but the DWP has confirmed that they do give a broad indication of local areas with a very high or very low proportion.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said the scale of child poverty in Kirklees was “shocking” and “shameful”.

He commented: “Austerity is the reason that we have this shocking rise in poverty.

“It has hit the most vulnerable in this country and in my constituency.

“We have got to have policies that get to the heart of that.

“A lot of the people affected are working families. They’re not on Universal Credit.

“So this is working poverty, and I think that’s shameful.

“We have to have sensible policies that identify it and find ways of tackling it.”

Coun Pandor, who represents Batley West for Labour on Kirklees Council, said: “We know that poverty and inequality are long-standing issues and they are sure to be after this crisis [and] that will have further detrimental effect on poverty.

“That’s why I have put the inclusive economy at the heart of our long-term strategy. To deliver better opportunities for everyone in Kirklees. Especially young people.

“It’s why our budget in February focused on investing a lot more in children and local economies across Kirklees as we know we need long-term funding to change lives.

“It’s why we’ve put so much focus on improving our children’s services – to give the best start in life for children regardless of their circumstances.

“This is why, at this time of crisis, we’re working with the voluntary sector to get help to where it urgently needs to be, delivering the hardship fund, [and] redeploying council staff to support residents most in need.

“We are also pulling out all the stops to make sure children get school meals and vouchers based on need.

“And, when this crisis is over, we need to make sure we rebuild our economy with the welfare of our children at its heart.

“We will continue to work with national Government to ensure the funding gap in children’s services is funded properly and there is a sustainable plan that will work towards eradicating child poverty.”

His party colleague Gulfam Asif, who represents Dewsbury South, said: “Child poverty has gone sky-high.

“It’s heartbreaking to read these figures. This should not be the state of England in 2020.

“I’ve witnessed child poverty at first hand when delivering food parcels to vulnerable families. Sadly these figures will increase in the coming months and, I fear, for many years to come.

“It’s not an easy read but the big question is how do we as a collective deal with this locally and nationally?”

Charities have also warned that child poverty is only going to get worse because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Judith Cavanagh, coordinator of the End Child Poverty coalition, said: “These figures from Government show the extent to which we have been failing children in poverty even before the outbreak of coronavirus.

“We have not all entered this crisis equally. Children in poverty will be among the worst affected by the crisis as households see their income hit further, through loss of employment and the increased costs of staying home – such as food, fuel bills and supporting home schooling.

“Policies such as the two-child limit on children’s benefits and the benefit cap have made a significant contribution to the rise in child poverty over the past five years.

“As more families now have to turn to the benefits system as a result of coronavirus we are urging the Government to scrap those policies, which they argued acted as incentives to get people into work.

“We would also like the Government to introduce an immediate increase to child benefit of £10 per child as a fast and effective means of getting support to low income families.

“Children in low income families have been failed over the past five years. Our response to Covid-19 must not fail them again.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We are doing whatever it takes to support the lowest paid families through these unprecedented times, implementing an extensive package of measures to do so.

“Widespread support is available to families, including increased Universal Credit payments, contributory benefits, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Self-employment Income Support Scheme, Statutory Sick Pay, mortgage holidays and greater protection for renters.

“Despite the challenges of the current pandemic we remain committed to providing opportunities and tackling the root causes of poverty.”