Moves to ease child poverty across district

About 9,000 children are living in poverty in the district – over a fifth of local youngsters.

Calderdale Council leader, Tim Swift said: “This is a worrying figure – poverty can have lifelong consequences, such as lower achievement at school, increased health problems and a higher chance of unemployment. It also affects our community and economy.

“One of our priorities is to help families with children in poverty become more financially independent. We are continuing our work with organisations such as Calderdale Credit Union and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau to help people affected by welfare reform to manage their money better and avoid debt. This supports our aim for fewer children under the age of five to live in, and be born into, poverty.”

The council’s cabinet is due to debate the issue on Wednesday.