The child poverty rate in Blackburn with Darwen borough is almost twice the national average affecting more than 12,800 five to 15-year-olds senior councillors have been told.

The alarming government figures are revealed in a report to the council's executive board due to be debated on Thursday.

They show that in 2021/22, Blackburn with Darwen had a child poverty rate for relative low-income households of 36.5 per cent, compared to the England average of 19.9 per cent.

The statistics are in a report on 'Our Strategy to Reduce the Impact of Child Poverty 2024 to 2028' from children's services boss Cllr Julie Gunn and her public health counterpart Cllr Damian Talbot.

It says: "Blackburn with Darwen’s child poverty rate for relative low-income in 2021/22 at 36.5 per cent, equivalent to 12,858 children.

"In 2022/23, 7,012 children were eligible for free schools meals, compared to 4,114 in 2015/16.

"In 2021/22, 70 per cent of children in poverty in Blackburn with Darwen were from working families.

"There are 190 households with dependent children in Blackburn with Darwen with no central heating,

"In our most deprived wards, 24.4 per cent of children are obese compared to 17.6 per cent in our least deprived wards.

"Blackburn with Darwen’s Strategy to Reduce the Impact of Child Poverty will aim to reduce and mitigate the impact of child poverty and reduce inequalities for children and families.

"The strategy will focus on the six key themes: The School Day; Food;. Transport; Stigma and Wellbeing; Early Years; and Housing.

"Our vision for child poverty, which has been co-produced with our children and young people in Blackburn with Darwen, is that 'we will break down barriers and make everyday life accessible to children and young people regardless of their financial background. We will work together to ensure that every child and young person who experiences poverty can thrive."

The six key themes the council has laid out to achieve its vision are:

" * the school day- removing barriers that impact children and young people attending and achieving at school such as food and uniform;

  • food - the ability to cook a healthy, nutritious meal and access affordable food;
  • transport - having safe and affordable transport across Blackburn with Darwen and promoting active travel;
  • stigma and wellbeing - The ability to access services and not feel judged, being able to talk about poverty and improve mental and physical wellbeing;
  • early years - supporting families and ensuring children are healthy and reaching developmental milestones; and
  • housing - ensuring all housing is safe and warm for our families and young people.

Cllr Gunn said: "“This new strategy is a really important step in communicating how we are working to tackle the impacts of poverty for our children, young people and families and also how we work in partnership to make sure that every child in Blackburn with Darwen can thrive.

“This strategy is aiming to mitigate the impact of child poverty.

"We call on the government to tackle the structural issues that have meant that child poverty has risen in the last 14 years and the council will use every resource available to try to help families, children and young people achieve their potential.

“We have also joined the Children's Society and other organisations in demanding that the government re-think the decision to end the Household Support Fund which has been a vital lifeline for many families in our borough.

“A really vital part of this is that it was created with the help of children, young people and families across the borough to make sure that the actions we are carrying out and want to build on are connected with the challenges they face daily."