Action urged over shock poverty figures
Steven MacDiarmid • Published 26 Jan 2012 09:21
4 Comments
TOWN politicians are "worried" and "disturbed" by statistics suggesting that almost a quarter of children in Musselburgh East and Carberry council ward are living in poverty.
The alarming figures have been compiled by the Campaign to End Child Poverty, an umbrella group which includes children's charities and welfare groups.
The figures classify children in poverty as those living in families receiving out-of-work benefits, or on low incomes and receiving tax credits.
Across Scotland, East Lothian as a whole compares favourably, with just 10 per cent of children in poverty compared with a national average of 17 per cent.
The county's rate is bettered only by Orkney, Shetland and Aberdeenshire. However, that overall figure masks wide disparities within East Lothian.
In the Musselburgh East and Carberry ward area, 23 per cent of children are said to live in poverty - the highest figure in East Lothian and well above the Scottish average level.
The incidence is also more than twice the county average, almost triple the level in North Berwick (8 per cent) and nearly twice the rate of neighbouring Musselburgh West (12 per cent).
Colin Beattie, MSP for Musselburgh and Midlothian North, told the Courier that he would be raising the "worrying" findings in Holyrood.
"There are patches across this constituency where child poverty is higher than the national average and this seems to be in post-industrial areas," said Mr Beattie.
"It's something we should be very concerned about and we should be ensuring we focus on these areas.
"Any figure for child poverty is not good but, if you look at the figures, child poverty has actually worsened, and that is a real worry.
"This also makes me worry about the impact of welfare changes. We should be concerned about the reduction in welfare payments that will push more people over the line into poverty."
However, Mr Beattie did not think the blame could be placed solely with the Holyrood or UK governments.
"I don't think you can blame Holyrood or Westminster entirely because councils have a responsibility too," he said.
"These are not good indicators and we have to do something about it. Children are the future of our country and we must bring them up to have positive outcomes in their lives.
"If they're living on the poverty line, the chances of that happening are a lot less. I think this is something it would be appropriate for me to raise in Parliament."
John Caldwell, independent councillor for Musselburgh East and Carberry, told the Courier: "My first reaction is that it's a bit surprising and disturbing to see child poverty here at that level compared with Scotland.
"I'm really surprised at that level and also the differentials [between other areas of East Lothian]. I think it's something that needs to be investigated further. Are there people out there who should be seeking help but aren't? I would encourage people to take advice and make sure they are taking all the help that is available.
"The whole country is struggling in terms of jobs but there is help out there and in this day and age no child should be struggling in poverty.
"There's a role for everyone to play here, including local authorities, to make sure no child anywhere is in that. Every help available should be offered."
Councillor Peter MacKenzie, East Lothian Council's education and children's services convener, said the authority was helping to tackle child poverty through its early intervention Support From the Start programme in six areas, beginning with Musselburgh East and Carberry ward, and also Preston/Seton/Gosford ward, which was ranked the second-worst area of the county for child poverty.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
-
Dr Christmas Jones
Unregistered User
Jan 26, 16:11
Report commentHere's how the Campaign to End Child Poverty defines it: 'children are classified as being in poverty if they live in families in receipt of out of work benefits or in receipt of in-work tax credits where their reported income is less than 60 per cent of median income'. Median UK income for 2010 was £20,801. OK, 60% of that is not a lot of money but "poverty" - I think not. Many of these families will also be in receipt of tax credit and housing benefit (rightly so). By using this as a definition will always be families living in "poverty".
Recommend?
Yes 6
No 2
-
pitpony
Unregistered User
Feb 3, 19:37
Report commentMr Caldwell people are seeking help and they get advice.But when they put that advice into action and try to get the help from the DWP Knock back no help.And this is before the real cuts have kicked in.I can see a lot of trouble coming soon not just in this country but all over the world people will only put up with so much being put down then they turn. All politicians should be worried and disturbed.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 0
-
Someone
Unregistered User
Feb 6, 00:57
Report commentWhat an awful mess and all we get from these elected officials is meaningless waffle.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
-
UnfairSystem
Unregistered User
Feb 8, 12:21
Report commentDo poeple need to be in "poverty" though? There are people who need benefits and budget their lifestyles accordingly. Then there are others who claim benefits that give them the same financial provision to afford a satisfactory quality of life, yet they cannot make a choice between the luxuries of flat screen TVs and mobile phones, laptops etc over necessities such as food and shelter. It's all about choice. You can give handouts but it's how people choose to use them that make all the difference.
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
