Shocking new data has found that 22 per cent of children in Tameside are living in poverty.

While the St Peter's ward in Ashton contains the highest child poverty rates in the borough, with 43 per cent of all children there living below the breadline.

Data published this week by Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) reveals that the cost of living crisis risks compounding already high levels of poverty across Tameside. 

It found that: 

· 22 per cent of children in Tameside are living below the poverty line 

· The ward with the highest child poverty rate is St Peter’s ward where 43 per cent of all children are living in poverty 

· 14 per cent of households in Tameside are experiencing fuel poverty 

· 15 per cent of people in the borough are struggling with food insecurity 

· Across Greater Manchester as a whole, 25 per cent of children are living in poverty 

As the UK’s cost of living crisis deepens, more and more people – including children – are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

As energy costs soar, families across Greater Manchester are having to choose between heating their homes and eating.

GMPA’s Poverty Monitor shows that 14 per cent of households in Tameside are in fuel poverty and 15 per cent are struggling with food insecurity – figures that are expected to increase in October when energy prices rise again. 

The increasing costs of living, benefits not keeping up with inflation and the removal of the £20 universal credit uplift has forced more people in Tameside into poverty and into ‘in-work poverty’ – whereby many families are turning to foodbanks despite being in paid work. 

Graham Whitham, CEO of Greater Manchester Poverty Action, said: “GMPA’s Poverty Monitor highlights a shockingly high number of children in Tameside that are living in poverty. 

"At GMPA we work to prevent and reduce poverty by campaigning for a real living wage, advising local authorities and the combined authority on anti-poverty strategies, and offering practical help to people through our money advice referral tool. Our vision is of a Greater Manchester free from poverty, and while we do all we can locally we are seeing more and more people, and children struggling.

"Our data shows we have a growing Greater Manchester and nationwide poverty emergency. We urgently need a national anti-poverty strategy to help people in poverty.” 

Councillor Ged Cooney, Leader of Tameside Council, said: “The child poverty figures across Tameside make shocking reading. The Council is doing everything we can locally to support families and individuals through the cost of living crisis but we need the government to develop a national poverty strategy to help people during this difficult financial time and beyond.”

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