Child poverty in Fenland ‘rose every year under Conservatives’ says Labour
One in five Fenland families with children under 16 now struggling in poverty will get support towards bills for energy, food and water from an extra £421m rolled out by the new Government.
New figures from a local Labour analysis of Department for Work and Pensions statistics for Fenland district reveal the percentage of children living in poverty here rose each year of Conservative rule from 17.7% in 2015 to a shocking 21% last year – above the national average.
Publishing the figures, chairperson of North East Cambs Labour Party Cllr Martin Field said: “The Conservatives left Britain broke and broken, but here in Fenland the new Labour government is already taking action to fix the foundations of our country and get Britain moving again.
“The Tories mismanaged our economy so badly that we've all taken a battering in recent years and, disgracefully, children of families pushed into poverty have been hit harder than most, their parents dreading rising bills this winter.
“That's why Labour has announced the £421m extension to the Household Support Scheme – to help families in places like Fenland get through the winter ahead. Further details on the latest scheme for local authorities to deliver will be released in the coming weeks.
“And Labour won't stop there – the new government is taking further action to fix the foundations through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay and get Britain working again.”
Since Tory policies started to bite around 2012, well-meaning people in the Fenland community have voluntarily stepped up to address the growing need.
FoodBanks run by volunteers are harder at work each year in all four Fenland towns, and many groups, such as Fenland Families and Baby Bank, March FACT Community Fridge and Feed Fenland have sprung up offering emergency support for families.
Wisbech FoodBank's figures reveal the number of children served in July 2024 is 12% up on July last year though 8% fewer adults needed aid, showing that more families than singles or couples are currently in need.
