Mayor in bid to end childhood poverty
METRO Mayor Steve Rotheram has launched a group aimed at tackling deprivation following figures published earlier this year showing about 31% of children in Halton are classed as living in poverty.
The Standing Action Group On Poverty And Life Chances (SAG) will now work with the Fairness And Social Justice Advisory Board (FASJAB) in a bid to improve the life chances of young people growing up in the Liverpool City Region (LCR).
Its membership comprises politicians, professionals, academics, trade unionists and faith leaders from around the LCR.
Poverty is defined as households earning less than 60% of the median income, which is £29,400 at the moment.
Across the LCR, 31% of children are living in poverty.
The highest rate is in Liverpool, on 36%, followed by Knowsley (32.2%), Halton (30.6%), St Helens, (29.8%), Wirral (28.9%), and Sefton.
The figures were published by End Child Poverty in May.
An inaugural meeting of the SAG took place in Netherton, where work takes place with residents to boost their health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Speaking at the session, Mr Rotheram said: “It is an absolute disgrace that almost a third of children in our city region are growing up in poverty.
“Nearly a decade of austerity has stripped away so many of the vital services and safety nets that help us tackle the problems that many face.
“As mayor, I won’t sit idly by while our kids are suffering.
“I want this group to work with our communities to help turn the tide on poverty and ensure that our young people get the opportunities they deserve.
“I’m building a fair and inclusive city region, where no one is left behind – certainly not our young people.”
Reverend Canon Dr Ellen Loudon, SAG chairwoman and mayoral adviser for the mayoral and voluntary sector, said: “This group is needed now more than ever.
“No child should be living in poverty in this country in the 21st century
“And we will be focused on taking action to ensure that fundamental changes are made so that children and young people have the life chances and opportunities that they should.”
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