Commission Examines Child Poverty in Leicester

People from organisations from across the city have met with Leicester’s Child Poverty Commission to look at how they can help to tackle child poverty in Leicester.

Representatives from a wide range of voluntary sector organisations met up with the commission on Friday, January 27, in the first of a series of events, which aim to examine the reasons for child poverty and contribute to an action plan to reducing it.

The meeting was part of a day of activity planned by the commission, which began at the Town Hall at 11am with a briefing for senior city council staff.

More than 35 per cent of children in Leicester – 27,000 – live in poverty. The commission was set up by Deputy City Mayor Cllr Rory Palmer to identify the local causes of the problem and to find new ways of tackling it.

Led by Cllr Palmer, its members are Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, head of policy, rights and advocacy for the Child Poverty Action Group Imran Hussain, Assistant City Mayor responsible for children, young people and schools Cllr Vi Dempster, the city council’s strategic director for children’s services Rachel Dickinson, Pro-Vice Chancellor for health and life sciences at De Montfort University Mandy Ashton, and child poverty expert Dr Katherine Duffy.

Cllr Palmer said: “When the commission first met we agreed that one of our priorities would be to ensure that the policy makers and the people who run services understand the enormity of the challenge facing us, so they can see how important it is to the city that they put real resources and expertise into helping us tackle it.

“That work started today when we met with senior council staff and people from a wide range of voluntary sector organisations.

“Fighting child poverty is a huge challenge in Leicester – not just for children’s services or the council but for a vast range of services and organisations across the city, and we must win their commitment and support in order to make real change.”

Imran Hussein, from the Child Poverty Action Group, added: “The commission has got a huge task but progress can be made.

“In the past decade, a national focus on child poverty has helped lift nearly one million children out of poverty and in recent years Leicester has seen impressive improvements in its schools. We can make a difference.”

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, added: “My fear is that unless national and local government act, child poverty in Leicester will get worse.

“That’s why I welcome the Child Poverty Commission looking into what measures we can take locally to help alleviate child poverty and I look forward to playing a full role in its work.”

More details about the commission and about child poverty in Leicester are on the council’s website at www.leicester.gov.uk/childpovertycommission

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