Agenda item

To consider the attached report providing an update on Child Poverty in Wiltshire, including the national policy background, the data picture in Wiltshire within a national context, and the activities of the Council.

The committee considered the attached report providing an update on Child Poverty in Wiltshire, including the national policy background, the data picture in Wiltshire within a national context, and the activities of the Council.

In the report, the committee was reminded that:

A child is considered to be growing up in poverty if they live in a household
whose income is below 60% of the average (median) income for that year.
This is called 'relative poverty'. Data on relative child poverty is available both
before (BHC) and after housing costs (AHC) are taken into account.

The threshold for absolute poverty is set at 60% of the average (median) net
household income in 2010/11 (as adjusted for inflation). This threshold does
not fluctuate over time.

Lucy Townsend, Corporate Director for People gave a verbal update.

There has been a slight increase in relative child poverty after housing costs from 19.1% to 20.9%. Therefore, meaning Wiltshire is lower than the South West and National figures.

Statistics surrounding free school meals was provided showing a rise in children eligible through low income, although it was stated that it doesn’t directly reflect child poverty figures as the criteria for free school meals is different.

The committee was reminded that The Child Poverty Act 2010, which set targets for the reduction of the percentage of children in poverty, was subsequently removed through The Welfare Reform and Work Act of 2016.

However, the reducing child poverty strategy in Wiltshire, and its objectives were reiterated and reports were still related to each of these:

Objective 1 – Provide effective support to vulnerable families with 0-5 year

olds

Objective 2 – Narrowing the Educational Attainment Gap

Objective 3 – Develop an inclusive economy that will enable equality of

economic opportunity for all

Objective 4 – Provide locally-focused support based on a thorough

understanding of needs

Objective 5 – Promote engagement with the Child Poverty Strategy and

related implementation plan

Wiltshire is currently ranked 190 out of 201 upper-tier authorities by a

measure of the percentage of workless households, and ranked 181 out of

201 by a measure of the percentage of children in workless households.

The Improving Lives: Helping Workless Families initiative was reiterated along with it’s ambitions, which set out proposals to:

·       Launch the next phase of the Troubled Families Programme, which placed a greater emphasis on helping parents with complex needs into work.

·       A new programme to reduce parental conflict.

·       Enhance the role of Jobcentre Plus to identify and meet complex needs.

·       Provide greater support to help those with drug and alcohol dependencies.

With regards to activities happening around the agenda, it was noted The Household Support Fund has been allocated over £5 million. This fund has been used to support children on free school meals during the school holidays. Although a broad fund it has been focused on energy bills and food costs.

It was reported that unfortunately the company that provides the FUEL camps has gone into administration.

During debate, clarification was given that Wiltshire’s areas of deprivation were significantly influenced by child poverty statistics and similar also to free school meals but is not exactly the same as the criteria varies slightly. Further explanation would be provided at a future date regarding the exact threshold of median income to be considered in child poverty. A point was made that it’s crucial that FUEL’s vital work continues. A chair briefing on the situational developments of FUEL was requested.

The question as to whether an overarching strategy would assist was debated. It was stated that everything we are doing in Wiltshire is to give children the best start in life through different strategies and that whether another overarching one would help is uncertain.

Resolved:

To note the report.

To ask the Executive to consider having a Reducing Child Poverty strategy to ensure this remains at the forefront of councillors’ minds.

To receive a Chair’s briefing on the revised provision of the FUEL programme.