Child poverty shame of county revealed
It has ‘no place’ in the 21st century
Action is needed to help the one in five children across Lanarkshire who are living in poverty.
That is the opinion of the county’s director of public health following the publication of his annual report.
And his plea comes just a week after the Advertiser revealed the extent of the crisis facing NHS Lanarkshire.
Gabe Docherty, interim director of public health, said: “Since 2012, there has been an increase in the number of children living in poverty. There is no place for this in 21st century Lanarkshire.
“Child poverty can have a long lasting and detrimental effect on children’s health and affect future life chances.
“All children have the right to have the best possible health. Unless we take action to reduce child poverty, we cannot expect to improve children’s life chances and ensure they reach their full potential.
“I welcome the Scottish Government’s child poverty bill and commend the efforts of our community planning partners to address this growing issue. However, we need to do more.
“We need to build on the good work that has been achieved to date in Lanarkshire and bring together a wide array of professionals to help to reduce poverty and low incomes for families.”
The report also focuses on what else can be done to support those who have experienced childhood trauma.
Mr Docherty added: “Trauma can have an impact on a child’s developing brain and the effects of this can show up decades later resulting in them having poorer outcomes.
“Experiences such as witnessing violence, emotional or physical neglect or abuse can have a direct link to adult depression and other mental illness, violence and being socially excluded. They can also be less likely to do well at school or at work.
“Extreme childhood trauma is one of the leading causes of conditions such as heart disease, cancer, substance abuse and depression.”
The health chief is calling for a collaborative approach following the publication of a figure that around 20 per cent of Lanarkshire’s children are living in poverty.
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Depute Leader of South Lanarkshire Council and Chair of the South Lanarkshire Community Planning Partnership, said: “I welcome the Director of Public Health’s annual report, which should reinforce everyone’s determination to eradicate the stain on our society that is child poverty.
“We share the Scottish Government’s ambition to tackle deprivation and we work every day with NHS Lanarkshire and other partners to deliver the best outcomes for our communities. Giving our young people the best possible start in life is one of our top priorities.
“Our new Council Plan and Community Plan have tackling poverty, deprivation and inequality as an overarching objective and tackling child poverty will remain a key priority. Working alongside communities, we are determined to tackle income and health inequalities and ensure we get it right for every child in South Lanarkshire.”
The report has been set out to focus on the themes of poverty and life circumstances, which are critical to the future health and wellbeing of the population of Lanarkshire.
Paul Jukes, chief executive of North Lanarkshire Council, said: “The issues highlighted in the annual report, and in particular around child poverty, serve to remind us all that we must maintain our focus on working together. This report sets out the many ways in which public sector partners collaborate. It is clear that we must build on that good work.”
Long-lasting and detrimental effect on children’s health