Child Poverty in Blackburn with Darwen Kenneth

Blackburn with Darwen 147,800 population (2011) 28.7% aged 0-19 (approx.) 78%/22% White/Asian ethnic origin split (approx.) 17 th most deprived on 2007 and 2010 IMD

Big Challenges Economic - global recession and eurozone financial crisis will impact on local economy for ten years Social – high levels of deprivation and disadvantage Environmental – legacy of industrial past and ageing high density housing Marmot – detrimental impact on health over the life course of our citizens

Our population is changing White Indian Pakistani

.. and will continue to change White Indian Pakistani population set to grow by 3% over the next ten years biggest growth in the 65+ age group (+17%)

Local Economy Global economic restructuring Eurozone market turmoil Impacts of 2008 recession and 2012 downturn low growth and few additional full time jobs over the next 5-7 years Impacts of public sector cuts on women, families and children

Private Sector Growth Despite the recession the local economy has shown positive signs £70m investment in Blackburn’s retail core - Mall and new indoor market record levels of footfall during the festive period - National Indoor Market of the Year More than £1.2m of investment in improved public realm in the heart of the town centre Highest number of small high growth businesses

Community Disadvantage

Place Compact urban areas set in countryside with steep valley sides Estimated 27,000 properties are non decent and 12,300 with a category 1 hazard Significant rural fringes with basic services Amongst worst authority areas for fuel poverty – 24% of households more than 30 in some neighbourhoods

Children and Young People Child poverty –three in ten children, 4 in 10 in Bastwell, Sudell, Wensley Fold and Audley and half in Shadsworth with Whitebirk One in three children overweight – but evidence of low weight for some Teenagers more likely to be frequent consumers of alcohol and one in four smoke More die in their first year than expected and more die aged 1-17 than expected

Child Poverty

Definition: % of children living in a household where the household income is below 60% of the median equivalised household income. Real terms: £202 per week for single parent families / £288 per week for 2-parent households. 26.8% of children live in poverty No ward is free from children living in poverty: – High in Shadsworth with Whitebirk, Sudell, Wensley Fold and Audley Areas with highest proportions of children living in poverty are the most deprived in the borough Nearly half of children living in poverty live in two parent households Nearly a fifth of working age residents claim out of work benefits – proportion of these adults known to have children is 50% higher than the national norm *Local poverty is a multi-faceted, multi-generational issue*

Understanding Poverty a local perspective

Background National Drivers: Child Poverty Act 2011, Low economic growth, effects of recession Local Drivers: BwD Child Poverty, 17 th most deprived authority, budget/service cuts Information: mainly stats data, need for indepth approach and understanding

Rationale Traditional working from a limited definition of poverty Need for a greater understanding of different types of poverties What does poverty mean for local people: bottom up approach Access to deeper and more detailed information

The Research Process Approach: Qualitative, local learning conversations Focus: Understanding a local definition of poverty, challenges & potential solutions Method: Loosely structured interviews & focus groups Participants: Total 52, aged 11-70, differing demographics Design: Word association*, experience & perception Data Analysis: Demographics, thematic & comparative

Headlines: Local definition ‘No money’ was the most common definition of poverty (across all ages/gender/culture) Secondary definitions included poor housing, poor health, low aspirations Differences in the secondary definitions dependant upon demographic differences ‘Poverty is having to choose between nappies and food and having a jam sandwich instead of a roast dinner’ Local Person: Aged 31-50y

Poverty – local definitions ‘It’s when you can’t afford food and water, gas and electric.’ ‘When you’ve no money and you’re struggling.’ ‘No money so you’re isolated and you can’t go out.’ ‘It’s about struggling to get by everyday.’ ‘It’s someone who lives in sub standard conditions, for example, you can’t afford your fuel bills.’ ‘Poverty is having to choose between nappies and food and having a jam sandwich instead of a roast dinner.’

Headlines: Challenges Social networks Aspirations Education Housing Health Cycle of deprivation Council services & support Financial commitments Employment Crime Child Poverty

Headlines: Solutions Local network groups Volunteering Education opportunities Support with energy efficiency Affordable housing Therapeutic services Extended choices Direct payments to fuel companies

Impacts of welfare reform Work programme – impact on spending power - £250,000 Work Capacity Assessment and Disability Reassessment – major impact on local spending power – estimated £4.5million reduction Council tax benefit changes Benefits Cap - Welfare increases - From 2014/15 Local Housing Allowance rates (the way to calculate HB for private rented) will be capped at 1% increases for the following two years - £190,000 Under occupation (bedroom) tax - Concern over the affects of the under occupation on foster carers has resulted in the Government announcing that it will revisit the issue. Universal Credit - major impact on household budgeting

Future impacts Impact of further council cuts: – On service users – Providers – Local employment figures Cuts will have an exacerbating effect on existing pressures but: – Building Schools for the Future – Housing Strategy – Town Centre Strategy – Partnerships with voluntary sector and health will help to mitigate effects.