Help shape government’s action on child poverty in Blackpool South

This Christmas many people in Blackpool South will struggle to make ends meet. Over 12,000 children in our community are living in poverty, lacking access to the basics many of us take for granted: food, warmth, and clothing.

That’s why I’m reaching out to parents, carers and professionals working with children in Blackpool South to help me show the government what life is really like for young people here.

I’ve launched a new survey to gather your insights on how the cost of living is impacting childhood in our hometown. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard and directly influence the government’s approach to tackling child poverty. The findings from this survey will help shape the government’s upcoming Child Poverty Strategy, set to be released in Spring 2025.

The survey is supported by the End Child Poverty Coalition – made up of over 80 organisations including child welfare groups, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others who are dedicated to eradicating child poverty.

Why your voice matters

Too often, decisions about policies affecting communities like ours are made in Westminster, far removed from the realities of daily life in places like Blackpool South. That’s why I’ve been working hard to ensure that Blackpool’s experiences are at the heart of the national conversation on child poverty. I want to make sure the government’s Child Poverty Taskforce truly understands the challenges our children and families face. The work of the Taskforce, including the upcoming 10-year Child Poverty Strategy, is crucial in addressing the root causes of child poverty.

But for that strategy to be effective, it needs to be grounded in the real-life experiences of people living through these challenges.

What the survey covers

The survey includes questions about children’s experiences in Blackpool South, focusing on areas like health, local support services, and the day-to-day impact of rising living costs. I’m particularly interested in hearing from parents and carers about the impact on your children’s well-being and development, and from professionals who work with children on the frontlines.

It’s essential that the voices of those who are directly affected by poverty are heard. I want to ensure that Blackpool South’s children are not an afterthought in these conversations. Your responses will be shared with the Child Poverty Taskforce, and I will be presenting a report based on the survey findings directly to the Taskforce, ensuring your views shape the policies designed to address these issues.

The Bigger Picture

As many of you know, Blackpool South faces some of the highest levels of deprivation in the country. In 2022-2023, 43.7% of children in Blackpool were living in poverty, and a staggering 41.5% of our neighbourhoods are classified as highly deprived. The impact on our children is profound, and it’s clear that the current system isn’t working for them.

In the summer, I had a productive meeting with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, to discuss the challenges Blackpool faces. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that children in areas like Blackpool South will be at the forefront of the government’s efforts to tackle child poverty. This was further reinforced in September when Minister Alison McGovern visited Blackpool to meet with local groups fighting for social justice and change.

What I’ve Been Doing to Help

Beyond the survey, I’ve been actively involved in fighting child poverty in Blackpool. Over the past seven years, I’ve volunteered as a driver for Blackpool Food Bank, and during the pandemic, I raised £14,000 to provide food for children during school holidays when the government failed to step up. As an MP, I donate 10% of my salary to local charities, and I’ve recently been named a Trusted Partner of The Big Food Project, which provides vital food assistance to families facing hunger.

This Christmas, I’m running a selection box drive for the Food Bank. You can donate at the Food Bank’s usual collection points at major supermarkets and at my constituency office in the Enterprise Centre on Lytham Road. I encourage anyone who can to contribute.

In Parliament I have continuously raised child poverty in my constituency, most recently holding an adjournment debate highlighting the extortionate cost of infant formula and calling on the government to tackle it. I am now in talks with major supermarkets to encourage them to cap prices and develop reasonably priced own-brand alternatives. 

In February, I’ll be hosting the biggest jobs fair Blackpool has ever seen, aiming to connect thousands of job seekers with local employers. I know that helping families into stable, well-paid work is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty.

Get involved

I’m asking all parents, carers, and professionals in Blackpool South to fill out the survey on my website. It’s easy to do, and every response counts. By sharing your experiences, you’re helping to ensure that the government’s Child Poverty Strategy isn’t just a set of policies, but a set of actions that will make a real difference in the lives of families here in Blackpool South.

Before the Christmas break, I’ll be writing to headteachers and local organisations, asking them to share the survey with families across our community. I encourage you to spread the word and help me gather as many responses as possible. The more insights we can provide, the stronger our case will be.

This is an issue close to my heart. Every day, I see the impact that child poverty has on our community. It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of parents having to make impossible choices between paying for food or keeping the lights on. But I believe that together, we can make a difference.

With your help, we can push for a national strategy that truly addresses the root causes of child poverty, not just in Blackpool, but across the country. By sharing your experiences, you can be part of a movement to ensure that no child is left behind.

Thank you for your support. Let’s make sure Blackpool South’s voices are heard.