Child poverty figures are a disgrace

Commenting on the report by the New Policy Institute showing an increase in the number of children living in severe poverty since 2004/05, Liberal Democrat prospective MP for Redcar, Ian Swales said:

"These figures are truly shocking. Severe poverty means 1.7million children are living in families who don't have enough money for basic necessities. The children lack basic needs such as a winter coat or a decent bed.

“Labour has failed to tackle child poverty with its complicated tax and benefit tricks. Ministers seem to have run out of ideas. Thirteen years after promising to end child poverty the situation is getting worse not better.

“Our area desparately needs more jobs so that people don't get caught in a long term cycle of deprivation.