Disturbed by the latest report by the Church Urban Fund

North West MEP Paul Nuttall says he is disturbed by the latest report by the Church Urban Fund that has found nine out of the ten poorest areas in England are in this region.

He said: "With average wages traditionally a lot lower than in most other regions in England, many people in the North West struggle with sky high council tax rates, rocketing fuel bills and a general lack of working opportunities. Meanwhile, our council chiefs are raking in huge six figure sums for their work while low paid frontline public sector staff face the axe.

Our councils must get to grips with poverty in the region now by slashing council tax, abandoning wasteful wind farm projects and refurbishing and refilling empty homes before we condemn our next generation to a life without hope or prospects."