Shabana Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, has called on the Government to take immediate action to tackle the growing problem of child poverty.

Mahmood’s call comes as new data released by the End Child Poverty Coalition shows that Birmingham is among the Top 20 local authorities for child poverty levels, with Birmingham Ladywood showing the second highest rate for parliamentary constituencies in the country, with a shocking 54.5% of children – 18,008 – living in poverty.

The Coalition, along with the Labour Party, are calling on their Government to scrap their planned cut to Universal Credit, which will slash families’ budgets by more than £1000.

Shabana Mahmood MP said:

“Sadly the news that more than half of our children in Birmingham Ladywood are living in poverty comes as no surprise to me, but that makes it no less heartbreaking.

“In the face of these staggering figures, the Government’s callous decision to cut Universal Credit in the new year is even more unconscionable.

“It is shameful that children are living in poverty in 21^st century Britain and the Government must make tackling child poverty a priority if they are serious about levelling up.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

1.      For further information or comment, please contact Luke Holland on 07447 008098 or email luke@cathoddu.com.

2.      Research from the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, for the End Child Poverty Coalition has been released: http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/child-poverty-in-your-area-201415-201819/