MORE than a QUARTER of children in South Macclesfield are living in poverty, according to new figures released this week.
The Campaign to End Child Poverty revealed that a shocking 29.9 per cent of children in the South ward are living an unsatisfactory standard of existence, and a Macclesfield councillor believes the situation can only “worsen”.
The group conducted a UK-wide study of benefits, including Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, and other ‘workless’ benefits, to determine the effects on the nation’s youngsters. Macclesfield South encompasses Lyme Green and the Moss Estate, which, according to Government measures of social deprivation, is one of the most deprived areas in Cheshire.
Labour councillor Gill Boston, of Macclesfield South, said: “The Moss is an area of deprivation but Macclesfield in general is quite affluent. As a result, issues of poverty aren’t high on the agenda for the Conservative council – but they should be.” And Coun Boston believes problems will only heighten if St Edward’s and St Barnabas schools are closed.
She added: “We are very aware of the issues surrounding social exclusion on the Moss Estate and with two schools potentially closing, the situation can only worsen.
“The county council is trying to close the schools because there aren’t enough children – but that’s not the case. Classes will only get bigger and I’m particularly worried that sizes could grow to 35 pupils per class. I also have concerns that with the local government reorganisation the boundaries will be redrawn so Macclesfield South will be subsumed by a Conservative ward and the issue of child poverty will be neglected.
“The only way to get out of this situation is through education and children on the Moss traditionally fare very badly. How can a teacher do anything with 35 in a class, particularly if there are problems in the first place?”
Levels were also high in Macclesfield West, where 21.3pc of children are said to be living below an acceptable rate, and in Hurdsfield, with 20.6pc. But overall, Macclesfield fared well compared to other towns and cities in North West England, scoring an average of just 9.7pc – aided by affluent areas such as Prestbury.
In the ‘millionaire’s playground’ only 3pc are deemed to be deprived, a stark contrast to vast numbers in Macclesfield South, less than three miles away.
Sutton, Tytherington and Henbury also all have very low levels of poverty; but Rainow is the richest of Macclesfield’s districts, with 1.3pc living below the breadline.
Sir Nicholas Winterton MP added: “Poverty is a modest problem in Macclesfield, but clearly there are parts of the Moss where there are problems. One can assist, but the parents have got to do their best too. Benefits from government need to be specifically targeted at families which need them. However, I think all political parties are trying to do something and are genuinely working hard to help reduce child poverty.”
Conservative Coun Hilda Gaddum said: “We are very concerned about poverty in particular there are hidden problems and rural poverty. But this really has a lot to do with central government funding.”
According to End Child Poverty, 1.3million UK children are living in a household with an annual income of less than £7,000 – equating to just £19 per day to cover costs of food, electricity, heating, travel, education, clothing and other expenses.
