Greater Manchester is home to too many children and young people living in poverty

Shocking new evidence published by the End Child Poverty Coalition paints a bleak picture for too many children and young people in Greater Manchester.

37% of children and young people in Greater Manchester are living in poverty. That is 11 children out of a classroom of 30.

According to new research from Loughborough University, Manchester has the third highest rate for child poverty in the UK, with a further eight out of the top twenty council areas located in the North West. Across the North West, rates of child poverty have risen by more than 5.4% since 2014/15. And, with seven out of ten children who experience poverty living in working households, the true extent of the consequences of the cost-of-living emergency are clear.

Persistently high inflation and a limited number of organisations committing to pay the Real Living Wage across Greater Manchester mean the crisis is deepening. The End Child Poverty Coalition argue this is compounded by the government’s decision to place a two-child limit on households whom receive Universal Credit. Raised prices and reduced income is proving immensely worrying for households across our city-region.

Whilst individuals living in poverty are not necessarily experiencing homelessness, their risk of homelessness is increased. Households who are struggling to make ends meet are often just one paycheque away from losing their home. We must ensure that as a community in Greater Manchester, we prevent these stark statistics from escalating.

Though the evidence is indeed bleak, it may only reflect the tip of the iceberg. It is very difficult to accurately capture the true extent of homelessness, in its various guises, in routine data or national statistics. We do not know how widespread the experience of homelessness truly is, particularly for children and young people. What we do know is that the consequences of homelessness for children and young people, in whatever form, are severe. The precarity and insecurity associated with the experience of homelessness is something no child or young person should ever have to endure.

Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity funds organisations and initiatives across our city-region that not only supports people experiencing homelessness but seeks to stop homelessness before it becomes a reality. The key is targeted prevention, ensuring vulnerable households are protected.

Addressing poverty is one part of the puzzle to tackle homelessness. We support Greater Manchester Poverty Action’s call, from their CEO Graham Witham, for employers across the North West to pay the real living wage, reflecting the real cost of living in a way the statutory minimum set by the government does not.

No child or young person should have to experience living in poverty or worse, face homelessness. Continued, urgent action is needed to ensure the situation improves and the number of households at risk of homelessness across Greater Manchester is reduced.

Dr Fran Darlington-Pollock, Head of Strategic Development at Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity argues,

‘The experience of homelessness can have significant and far reaching implications, but these can be acute for children and young people. We were pleased to support GMPOB’s ‘Keep Snug’ winter campaign earlier this year, and will continue to advocate for and champion work that can end youth homelessness and combat poverty.’

To read the full press release from Greater Manchester Poverty Action, please follow this link.

Donate to Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity today and help us continue to support amazing homelessness initiatives across our city-region.