Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
One in three kids living in poverty
Airdrie figures worst in Lanarkshire
Shameful new figures reveal that more children are living in poverty in Airdrie than in any other part of Lanarkshire. With Christmas approaching, an alarming one in three youngsters in parts of the town are living on the breadline, with statistics for the Airdrie Central ward the worst. The Airdrie North ward doesn’t fare much better, registering the third highest figures in the region. Airdrie & Shotts MSP Alex Neil has told the Advertiser he will be “pressing” the Scottish Government to make plans to introduce a child poverty bill a “top priority” in the wake of the disturbing statistics.
In just over a month’s time excited youngsters will be eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival and the chance to open their presents.
But in hundreds of Monklands homes kids face a winter of discontent following the release of distressing child poverty statistics.
The End Child Poverty coalition study has revealed that more children are living in poverty in Airdrie than in any other part of Lanarkshire.
The Airdrie Central council ward has the most alarming statistic – 32.96 per cent – meaning one in three children there are living on the breadline.
Airdrie North fared a little better with a 28.63 per cent total, also well above the North and South Lanarkshire averages, and the third highest in the county.
It means that, on average, more than one in four children in Airdrie are living in poverty.
The estimates are broken down by local authority, parliamentary constituency and ward, and the findings have led to an outpouring of concern from Airdrie’s parliamentarians.
MSP Alex Neil, former Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Communities and Pensioners’ Rights, told the Advertiser: “These statistics are frightening and demand urgent action.
“There is no way we can close the attainment gap in schools if so many children are living in poverty.
“The only way to deal effectively with this problem is to put cash into the pockets of families, along with expanded support from childcare, nursery education and better housing.
“The impending benefits cap will make matters even worse.
“The Scottish Government are introducing a Child Poverty Bill which will set statutory goals for reductions in child poverty and I will be pressing them to make this a top priority in next month’s budget.
“We must all do much more to reduce child poverty, locally and nationally.”
Out of the 59 Scottish Westminster constituencies, Airdrie & Shotts is ranked worst in Lanarkshire and in the country’s bottom 10, with 28.2 per cent of children in poverty after housing costs are removed. The Scottish national average is 23.2 per cent.
Neil Gray, constituency MP and SNP Fair Work and Employment spokesperson, revealed that he will head an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) to find a solution to the issue.
He said: “These figures are extremely worrying. Airdrie and Shotts was an area already suffering from high unemployment and deprivation and the Tory Government’s benefits cuts have exacerbated an already shocking situation.
“Successive reports on the rise of foodbank use have linked social security cuts and sanctions to increasing numbers of people desperately seeking emergency food aid. No child should live in poverty and I am working with others to press the UK Government into action. “I have already secured a debate on employment and support allowance cuts and will continue to fight against these unjust and unrelenting cuts.” Coatbridge fared slightly better in the survey’s findings – but two of the town’s three wards came in above the North Lanarkshire average. Coatbridge & Chryston MSP Fulton MacGregor said: “These are incredibly upsetting statistics and a damning indictment of the UK Government’s welfare policies. “The Scottish Government continues to challenge the Tories about their obsession with austerity. It’s a choice, not necessity. “The SNP are already spending £ 100million to attempt to mitigate the impact of Westminster cuts and plan to eradicate child poverty by 2030.”