Councillor Max Holloway (Howlands) writes to the local paper in response to an article outlining ‘lower than average’ increases in Child Poverty

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“So while some may be quick to clap their hands and slap themselves on the back for a ‘lower than average’ increase in the amount of children and their families struggling – I don’t think that any increase in child poverty is something to celebrate.”

Child poverty has increased by 12% in Welwyn Hatfield – and it’s easy to think of it as just a percentage. But what is 12% when you look into it? It’s 334 more children – right here in our community – who are struggling, on top of the thousands who have been struggling for years.

It’s 334 more children who will stare into the face of food and fuel poverty. 334 additional children who are more likely to experience physical and mental illness. 334 more children who will find it harder to get through school. Ultimately it’s 334 more children who are more likely to fail to reach their potential because they’re being held back at the starting line.

We have a Government that will happily spend £2.6 million on a tv-studio it no-longer wants to use and who’ll dish out billions in contracts to their mates, but who have to be dragged kicking and screaming to make sure these same children were fed over summer and over Christmas.

And we have a ruling party mentality at our County and Borough Councils that have kept frustratingly quiet over the whole ordeal – refusing to hold their own government to account.

So while some may be quick to clap their hands and slap themselves on the back for a ‘lower than average’ increase in the amount of children and their families struggling – I don’t think that any increase in child poverty is something to celebrate.