Third of children in district are living in poverty, reports reveal

Bradford has "particularly high" levels of child poverty, according to the in-depth studies, and the district has the greatest gap between the most deprived and most affluent areas of any local authority district in England.

Nearly one in three people of working age do not have jobs and wage levels – 409.90 per week on average – have not risen in line with national or regional rates.

The stark conclusions are among the findings of Bradford Council's Local Economic Assessment and Bradford District Partnership's State of the District report, which offer analysis of the area's population, skills base and industry make-up as well as its prospects for the future.

With 40,840 children in Bradford living in poverty, the district has the highest numbers of children living in poverty of all West Yorkshire local authority areas, and compares poorly with both the regional and national average.

According to the Local Economic Assessment: "Employment lifts some families and children out of poverty but low skills and low income work means this is not a guarantee, and over half of children in low income families have at least one parent in employment."

Inner city urban areas and the outlying social housing estates of both Bradford and Keighley have high concentrations of child poverty.

The reports have also thrown a spotlight on the vast gap between the most and least deprived areas of the district – which is ranked 32nd most deprived out of the 354 local authority areas.

"Recent research has shown that such inequality has impacts that go beyond economic wellbeing to affect levels of health, trust and happiness," says the Local Economic Assessment.

Sixteen per cent of households in the Bradford district have an average income of 50,000 or more.

While Wharfedale and Ilkley wards have the highest average household incomes of 44,700 and 42,300 (respectively), almost 43,000 households in the district have a total income of less than 10,000 per year.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration and economy, said: "These are 'warts and all' evaluations which will play a vital part in our plans to take action on the key economic and social issues facing our district.

"We have a big economy that has a major impact on people's lives not only within Bradford but the wider region, too. The facts and figures collected here give us valuable insight how we can make the district stronger and more competitive.

"There is no benefit in hiding away from the issues that need most attention – this process gives the council and its partners the chance to review them, give them the attention they require and keep track of our progress so we know we are delivering."

The reports also revealed while Bradford district has the region's third-largest economy, "it is weak in terms of overall competitiveness in the UK".

However, manufacturing and culture are strong economic sectors, and Bradford's growing labour market could provide a strong workforce for the rest of Leeds City Region – with the right development of skills and transport links.

Enterprise culture is higher than elsewhere, cultural provision good and the visitor economy growing.

The studies, which also identified a strong and well-developed voluntary and community sector, will form the basis of economic and community strategies due to be completed by early next year.