Report: The Impact of the Cost of Living on Childhood in Blackpool South

As the Member of Parliament for Blackpool South, I am committed to tackling the child poverty crisis affecting our community. Blackpool continues to face some of the most pressing social challenges in the UK, and our children are among those bearing the brunt. With over four million children living in poverty across the country, and Blackpool ranking as one of the most deprived areas, urgent action is needed.

I have published a report – The Impact of the Cost of Living on Childhood in Blackpool South – compiled from a survey of 60 parents, carers, and professionals working with children in Blackpool. It has been produced to inform the work of the Child Poverty Taskforce. Launched by the UK government, this Taskforce is charged with developing solutions to combat child poverty. It is critical that Blackpool has a strong voice in shaping its recommendations, as our unique challenges and the struggles of our families are not always understood in Westminster.

On 10th March I was proud to present the report to the Secretary of State for the Department of Working Pensions, Liz Kendall (pictured above), who is responsible for the Child Poverty Taskforce. She praised the report as the most comprehensive contribution from an MP to the Taskforce’s call for evidence and promised to give it her full attention.

The report is supported by the End Child Poverty Coalition and sheds light on the harsh realities faced by children in Blackpool South. Almost 90% of respondents indicated that financial strain negatively impacts children’s overall enjoyment of childhood, with two-thirds reporting that it also affects children’s physical and mental health. Families are struggling to meet basic needs like food, clothing and housing, and the cost of living is leaving children without access to the opportunities they deserve.

“With over 70% of respondents expressing difficulties in meeting essential needs, the cycle of poverty is not only harming the immediate well-being of children but also threatening their long-term future.”

In addition to financial hardship, Blackpool’s children are finding it increasingly difficult to access education, extracurricular activities and even basic social events due to the constraints of poverty. With over 70% of respondents expressing difficulties in meeting essential needs, the cycle of poverty is not only harming the immediate well-being of children but also threatening their long-term future.

The findings of the survey highlight the critical need for the government to act. The Taskforce’s recommendations must be shaped by the voices of those living in poverty, and this report ensures that Blackpool’s challenges are represented in the evidence it gathers. It is vital that policymakers recognise the significant barriers faced by our community, and that they prioritise resources and support where it is needed most. Families in Blackpool deserve better access to mental health services, affordable housing and free or subsidised activities.

I’d like to thank those who took the time to complete the survey and the End Child Poverty Coalition for its support. This report is more than just a reflection of current conditions – it is a call to action. The evidence presented here underscores the need for immediate and decisive action to lift children out of poverty and ensure they have the chance to grow up healthy, happy and equipped for a successful future.

It is time for Blackpool to be heard, and for the government to act. Together, we can work to ensure that no child in our community is left behind and build a better Blackpool.

Read the full report below.