More than 6,000 York children live in poverty: ‘These figures shame us all’
New figures show that 6,254 children live in poverty in York.
The End Child Poverty Commission has revealed that 4,431 children in the York Central parliamentary constituency, and 1,823 children in the York Outer constituency live in poverty.
Theses figures are quoted as at December 2015, based on family income after housing costs.
The End Poverty Coalition warns that the benefits freeze in place until the end of the decade will mean that as prices rise, low income families will increasingly struggle to buy basic essentials like food and heating.
At the same time cuts to universal credit will further penalise low income families and risk pushing more families below the poverty line.
The coalition is calling on the Government to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to end the freeze on children’s benefits and reverse the sharp cuts being introduced to in-work benefits under universal credit.
Food banks
Between April and September this year, York Foodbank provided nearly 1,700 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis in the York Central constituency, and of these 725 were for children.
Labour MP for York Central Rachael Maskell said:
People living in Britain, the sixth wealthiest country in the world, should not have to depend on handouts from the food bank to feed their families.
It is now approaching Christmas and families should be looking forward to the occasion without worrying themselves sick about how they will feed their children and provide heating for them.
Some children will go without gifts this year because their parents simply cannot afford them. This is simply unacceptable and I will be doing what I can to speak out against the Government’s policies and to persuade them to think again.
Ms Maskell said that families in her constituency who cannot make ends meet should contact her office on 01904 623713 or by emailing her here “and I will do what I can to help”.