Over 16,000 children living in poverty in the borough

End Child Poverty

A shocking report shows over 16,000 children are living in poverty in the borough.

The End Child Poverty coalition has published a 'child poverty map' which reveals 10,527 children are living in poverty in the Rochdale constituency with another 6,283 in the Heywood and Middleton constituency.

In Rochdale, 36.48% of children live in low income families. In Heywood and Middleton the figure is 26.85%.

Chairman of End Child Poverty, David Holmes said: “Far too many children whose parents are struggling to make a living are suffering as a result and missing out on the essentials of a decent childhood that all young people should be entitled to. We can and must do better for our children.

“Poverty ruins childhoods and reduces life chances. Failing to invest properly in children is a false economy: already child poverty costs the country £29bn each year and in the long run taxpayers will foot an even higher bill for correcting the damage.

“We are calling on politicians of all parties to urgently set out a clear road map towards ending child poverty which includes the additional actions needed and the measures by which progress will be tracked."