The latest figures reveal an alarming increase in child poverty in Greater Manchester and Lancashire, with 333,000 children now living in poverty—a rise of 31,197 compared to the previous year. The data, sourced from Loughborough University research for the End Child Poverty Coalition, underscores the pressing need for immediate action.
The Diocese of Salford, covering Greater Manchester and parts of Lancashire, is experiencing a significant rise in the number of children affected by poverty. In response, a local charity has launched a summer appeal, urging both local and national leaders to prioritize this growing crisis.
Patrick O’Dowd, the Caritas charity’s director, highlighted the urgent need for a strategic, long-term approach to tackling poverty:
“We know the Government has a whole range of priorities and will be keen to ensure some ‘quick wins’ to make its mark on the new term, but the reality is that tackling poverty across the UK is a complex problem which requires a strategic, national, long-term approach.”
The impact on children is severe and enduring. O’Dowd emphasized:
“The time for talking is over. Real young lives are being devastatingly impacted every day as poverty reaches what we think is an all-time high. The demand for our services continues to rise, and hardworking families are struggling beyond belief to simply carry on providing basic food, accommodation, and clothing for their children.”
With over 31,000 more children living in poverty compared to last year, the situation is increasingly dire, O’Dowd added:
“It’s totally unacceptable and has a real, long-term impact on many children as they grow into adulthood. That there are more than 31,000 more children living in poverty this year compared with last shows that this incredibly devastating spiral must be stopped – and it must be stopped now.”
The charity is calling on decision-makers at all levels to address this crisis immediately. To support the summer appeal, the public is urged to visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/childpoverty to take action locally or make a donation to help families in urgent need.
The charity also advocates for policy changes to support struggling families, including ending the two-child limit on benefits, increasing access to free school meals, encouraging employers to pay the real living wage, and addressing other root causes of poverty.
O’Dowd, Urged:
“It’s so hard to have to keep shouting about this but we aren’t going to stop until something is done to help hard-working parents and their children. We need real change and we need it now.”
Dedicated to ending poverty, the charity provides a range of services for people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage, and isolation across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. The latest appeal aims to expand support to even more families in need.
O’Dowd shared poignant stories of the families they assist:
“Families come to us every day who, despite working incredibly hard, are still unable to provide for their children. We have seen people who can’t afford to shower, who are going without a meal so their children can eat instead, who can’t afford a bed so have their whole family sleeping on a mattress on the floor. This is no longer the exception, it’s becoming the rule, and we estimate that one in two children in classrooms in our diocese are experiencing some sort of poverty.”
The charity urges the public to join them in demanding immediate change. Support for the charity’s work with families in Greater Manchester and Lancashire is crucial.
Since its inception in 2020, the Caritas Bishop’s Fund has been providing small emergency grants to families and individuals in crisis. The fund has assisted people in various ways, from supermarket vouchers to replacing essential household items and children’s beds.
In addition to emergency grants, the charity offers accommodation and tailored support services for young parents and their children experiencing homelessness. They also provide community pantries to support those facing food poverty and offer counseling services and support for schoolchildren and their families dealing with various challenges.
As a member of the End Child Poverty Coalition, the charity is united with other organizations in a vision of a UK free of child poverty.
To donate to the urgent appeal or find other ways to help, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/childpoverty.
