Urgent review is needed to tackle child poverty problem, say Walsall councillors
An urgent review has been called for in Walsall in a bid to combat child poverty in the borough after figures revealed thousands were affected.
Within the Walsall borough there are around 16,000 children living in poverty, a figure which is feared will rise in the face of impending welfare reforms planned by central government.
Three councillors have put forward a notion to the council asking officers to look at what can be done to tackle the problem.
Councillors Ian Robertson, Sean Coughlan and Kath Phillips claim in the notion, which will be discussed at a full council meeting next week, is 'now so serious and imminent to need an urgent updated review'.
It goes on to say the council needs 'to formulate an action plan that could mitigate the effects of this rise in child poverty'.
Councillor Robertson said it is the duty of the council to look at making a plan to combat the effects.
He said: "This is an urgent situation that needs looking at.
"We are moving into a time where people are going to have less resources to draw upon and that will no doubt lead to poverty.
"Children are going to bed hungry in Walsall and that problem is only going to get worse with the the new welfare reform plans. It is an appalling situation.
"A lot of families are going to be under more pressure than ever before and it is the duty of the council and us as responsible politicians to make sure a plan is in place to support these people."
According to independent reports, the upcoming welfare reforms will push an estimated 40,000 children into poverty nationally.
A report attached to the councillor's notion states: "With over 45 per cent of Walsall's population being among the 20 per cent most deprived in the country, it is safe to conclude that there will be a rise in child poverty within the borough.
"Services including those provided by schools, Sure Start programmes and children's services will see a further increase in demand for support as families struggle to manage financially.
"The cause of child poverty used to be mainly unemployment, but changes in the economy and increase in low pay means that most children living in poverty are in households where at least one parent works."