Extreme poverty increasing in Rochdale

Latest figures show that Rochdale is one of the only areas in Greater Manchester to see an increase in extreme poverty.

Analysis showed that despite areas in Manchester such as Ardwick, Moss Side and Hulme making considerable progress in reducing deprivation, areas in Rochdale showed the reverse, suffering from a significant increase in levels of deprivation.

Central and Falinge is now the 11th most deprived area in England, moving up from 16th in 2004, while two parts of Rochdale that were not even placed in the top 100 in 2004, Balderstone and Newbold, are now measured as the 17th and 47th most deprived areas in England.

A request in Parliament last week by Frank Field MP, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, has provided a comparison between the 100 most deprived wards in the UK in 2004 against the most recent figures for 2007.

Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Simon Danczuk, has warned Rochdale's ruling Liberal Democrat group that they must stop being complacent about poverty. He said: “This latest table for the most 100 deprived areas in England makes very depressing reading for Rochdale.”

"I take no satisfaction in highlighting these figures but I am extremely disappointed that the Lib Dems are intent on hiding deprivation in Rochdale and have continually abused me for speaking out against their failure to prioritise social regeneration and help those most in need.

He urged the Council to re-submit new, focused and measurable priorities for tackling poverty and to stop trying to manipulate headlines and spin their way out of trouble once failing services are highlighted by independent bodies such as the National Audit Commission.

Paul Rowen MP said: "These figures are deeply disappointing mirroring as they do the figures produced the Falinge area earlier this year. It is also true to say that these figures are deep seated, have not happened overnight and reflect the Labour government's failure to tackle the problems of poverty and worklessness in areas like Central and Falinge. I find it highly hypocritical of the Labour Candidate as these figures reflect eleven years of Labour policy during eight of which there was a Labour controlled council.

"Since February I have been working with council officers and partners to bring about a step change in welfare policies. We will be putting forward positive proposals to the DWP that will bring about a change in how poverty is tackled in Rochdale."