Pendle has highest number of children in poverty in UK

Pendle, Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and Burnley are among the 10 worst UK boroughs for child poverty levels, according to 2022/23 data from the Department for Work and Pensions.

A household is considered to be in relative poverty if its income is below 60 per cent of the current median average.

A spokesperson for Child Action North West (CANW), which has its head office in Wilpshire, said the figures are “truly shocking” adding that it has been “inundated with referrals” from families.

Pendle has the highest level of child poverty of any UK local authority, with 43.2 per cent of children under the age of 16 living in relatively low-income families in 2022/23.

A spokesperson for Pendle Council said it is aware of increased child poverty, particularly in recent years, and has support in place for families facing financial hardship.

In Pendle, the percentage of children living in poverty has risen from 28.8 per cent in 2014/15 , and is up from 36.6 per cent in 2019/20, the last pre-pandemic year. 

Rose Rouse, chief executive of Pendle Council, said: “Children and young people are a top priority for us and partnership working is key to us making a difference.

“We’re part of Pendle Health and Wellbeing Partnership, which is made up of organisations including the NHS, Pendle Leisure Trust, Lancashire County Council and the community and voluntary sector, to tackle childhood poverty and the impact this has on health outcomes.

“Our household support fund is available to support struggling households with food, energy bills and essential items.

“We’re delighted this programme has been extended by the Government for another six months from April.

“During the school holidays, we also provide free activities and food for children aged four to 16 who get benefits-related free school meals.”

Blackburn with Darwen has the fifth highest level of child poverty in the UK at 40.4 per cent.

This is up from 29.8 per cent in 2014/15’s figures and 35.9 per cent in 2019/20.

A spokesperson for Blackburn with Darwen Council said it is “incredibly focused” on ensuring disadvantaged children aren’t left behind.

Emma Ford, deputy director for children’s social care at the council, said: “As an authority, we are aware that the number of children experiencing poverty has increased, and we are incredibly focused on making sure that our most disadvantaged children and families are not left behind.

“We have a range of support that families can access to help them, including our holiday activity fund, school uniform exchange, school food grant, food bank support, cot bed referral and household support fund, which has been extended for a further six months.

“This week we also launched ambitious new plans to create a better future for all our children in the borough - our strategy to reduce the impact of child poverty 2024 to 2028.

"This will be a partnership with public health and children’s services, care network, family hubs, young carers and more, to work to support all children in the borough who need it.

“Our missions are to create a more prosperous borough where no one is left behind and where every child and young person will have the opportunity to fulfil their potential.”

Hyndburn is ninth in the UK with child poverty levels at 39.2 per cent, also a sharp jump from 27.4 per cent in 2014/15, and 33.8 per cent in 2019/20.

In 10th spot is Burnley, where 38.3 per cent of children under the age of 16 were living in relatively low-income families in 2022/23.

Similarly, this is up from 26 per cent in 2014/15, and 32.4 per cent in 2019/20.

Other areas in the top 10 worst affected areas were Oldham, Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester, and the City of London, which saw a huge rise from 9.3 per cent in 2019/20 to 39.4 per cent in 2022/23.

Responding to the figures, the Government said it was helping people on the lowest incomes with a range of measures, including boosting benefits and pensions, extending the Household Support Fund and introducing the biggest ever rise to the National Living Wage.

Ali Stathers-Tracey, chief executive officer for CANW, said: “Children and families in the North West are still facing unprecedented challenges in the post-pandemic years.

“In light of increased cost of living pressures, we are often struggling to meet this growing demand as our funding is very short term - particularly when offering help to children and parents with additional special needs who are particularly impacted by poverty as their parents often need to reduce work to care for their family. 

“Here at CANW we are inundated with referrals for support for children and young people who are experiencing high levels of anxiety and other health-related issues that are often made worse for parents and carers to manage when they don’t have enough income to ensure that their children can eat well, learn well and play well. 

“At CANW our ambition is to step in and offer much-needed help when other agencies can't. We do this through a whole range of tailored support that empowers parents/carers and children to cope and thrive.”

In the other East Lancashire borough, the Ribble Valley, child poverty levels stand at 12.2 per cent, up from nine per cent in 2014/15, and 10.4 per cent in 2019/20.

Hyndburn and Burnley Council have been approached for comment.