1/1 MORE than 10,000 children in Southampton were living in poverty even before the pandemic, new data has shown. In Southampton, 10,286 children aged under 16 were living in low income families in 2019-20, an estimated 22 per cent of all youngsters in the area according to Department for Work and Pensions data. A family is defined as in low income if it earns less than 60 per cent of the national median household income before housing costs. This 2019-20 figure was a rise compared to the 16 per cent recorded just five years earlier with 28 per cent of children being below school age. Now charities are urging the Government to take action with Imran Hussain, Action for Children director of policy and campaigns, claiming the Government is in denial , adding that it is vital a plan is brought forward.
Tulip Siddiq MP, Hampstead and Kilburn
Published:
8:45 AM April 3, 2021
Prime minister Boris Johnson (left) and Sir David Attenborough at the launch of the next COP26 UN Climate Summit at the Science Museum
- Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
The coronavirus crisis has engulfed our lives and dominated politics for the last year, but we must not forget the other crisis that threatens our very existence - the climate and ecological emergency.
I recently had the pleasure of hosting a virtual meeting with over 100 people from Hampstead and Kilburn to discuss the urgent need to tackle climate change. It was encouraging to see such high levels of attendance – including from climate groups in Brent – which is a sign of how important this issue is both to our local community and the future of the planet.
Mr Smith said one property in Bitterne had been empty for years and was infested in pigeons. Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, added: I know that bringing empty homes into use is something the council have been working on. However, the housing charity Shelter has said there is a bigger fundamental problem with affordable housing in the UK. I d like to see the government give councils the funding they need to provide decent affordable homes. A city council spokesperson said the authority tried to prevent homelessness. They added: Where this is not possible we provide self-contained temporary accommodation – not Bed and Breakfast - whilst a permanent home can be found.
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