Cost of child poverty in Liverpool nears £1billion

In a national review of Child Poverty undertaken by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), a leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty, the cost of child poverty to Liverpool City Region was revealed to be £968 million.

The figure, which equates to £10,856 for every child on Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral, stems from a report ‘Local Authorities and Child Poverty – balancing threats with opportunities’ which estimates the cost to every local authority and constituency in the UK.

Frank Field MP, the Chair of the Liverpool City Region’s Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission, identified the increase of referrals to foodbanks by 120% in some places within the City Region as a concern that the cost will only spiral.

The Liverpool City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission has been instrumental in recognising the role of transport, access to bank accounts and fuel prices in helping families lift themselves out of poverty.

Mr Field said: “There are huge costs, both human and financial, to child poverty. I am proud to Chair a group which is committed to helping every child have the best possible start.

“It’s not enough to just support each child, we need to help raise family incomes, too. This dual focus must be maintained if we are to avoid the pernicious impacts of poverty.”

Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said “In Liverpool City Region, the current extent of child poverty costs £968m every year and a large part of this cost lands on council services. It is encouraging to see the strong local child poverty strategy so that children growing up in Liverpool City Region have a better future, and so that we avoid having to spend on failure and can invest everyone’s council tax contributions in more positive ways.”

Liverpool Waterfront