Figures show a fifth of children living in poverty in St Helens

The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that 6,594 children in St Helens were living in relative poverty in the year to April 2022.

This means that 20.2% of the children in the borough were in a family whose income was below 60% of the average household income, and claimed child benefit and at least one other household benefit.

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Child poverty increasing almost every year

Looking through the DWP data, the figures show that the number of children living in relative poverty has increased almost every year in St Helens since 2015. 

The one year where the figures decreased was in the year to 2021, which is likely to have been affected by the pandemic and extra support given by the government.

4,585 children were recorded as living in 'absolute poverty' in St Helens, a rate of 14.1% of young people in the area.

This is defined as a family's income as lower than 60% of the median income established in 2011.

Although figures have varied in this category over the years, figures show that the town has fewer children in absolute poverty than it did in 2015.

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Foodbank useage on the up in St Helens

Hope Centre employees Sarah McDonagh and Janice Macleod (Image: St Helens Star)

Backing up these statistics and highlighting the impact of the cost of living crisis, analysis from the Hope Centre shows that thousands more people are using their food bank compared to last year.

In the year to April 2022, figures show that 3,703 food vouchers were redeemed from St Helens Foodbank, based in the Hope Centre on Atherton Street.

With food vouchers consisting of long-lasting foods like soup, pasta and tinned goods, they allowed 8,433 people to be fed in St Helens. 3,060 of these were children.

A year later, the Hope Centre's figures show that 4,898 food vouchers were fulfilled in the year to April 2023, feeding a total of 11,043 people. 3,954 of these were children.

Janice McLeod, team leader at St Helens Foodbank, said: "We have had an increase of 2,610 more people fed than the previous year. A huge increase!

"This has obviously had an effect on our donations and stock [and] we are desperately short of food donations at the moment."

Concerning statistics follow national trend

Foodbank usage has gradually been increasing in St Helens in the past few years (Image: St Helens Star)

While the child poverty statistics are concerning and highlight the deprivation some families face in St Helens, they broadly follow the trends across the UK.

The percentage of children living in relative poverty stands at 20.1% across the UK, which has increased each year apart from 2021.

In terms of absolute poverty, the UK's figure stands at 15.3% or 1.89 million children.

With the number of children in poverty decreasing during the pandemic, the Action for Children charity accused ministers of knowing what works but have chosen “not to do it”.

Statement from St Helens MP:

Marie Rimmer MP (Image: Marie Rimmer MP)

The Labour MP for St Helens South & Whiston, Marie Rimmer, said that child poverty figures will be one of the biggest legacies of this Conservative government.

In Ms Rimmer's constituency, 3,868 children under 16 (20.4%) were living in relatively low-income families, and she said that this can have a knock-on effect on their life chances as an adult.

Marie Rimmer MP said: “This will undoubtedly be one of the biggest legacies of this Conservative government. Thousands of children let down in St Helens and across the country.

"This has a real knock on effect on children and ultimately their life chances as an adult. It is why investment in education and making it easier for working parents is so necessary.

“The Government has done so little to help young families. Free childcare provision needs to be expanded to help working families keep more of their own money.

"Forcing parents to fork out substantial sums for childcare is not sustainable for the future of our country.

“One of the central pillars of this Conservative government was to level up the country. This has not happened.

"St Helens and other Northern towns have been let down time and time again. The Government needs to invest in our area and in our public services.

"Any Government needs to make sure that we are a more equal country so that a child born in St Helens has the same life chances as one born in the South East of England.”

Statement from the Government:

The Government say that they are committed to eradicating poverty (Image: PA)

A Government spokesperson said they are “committed to eradicating poverty and supporting those in need, and our actions have helped ensure there are nearly two million fewer people in absolute poverty than there were in 2009-10”.

They said the latest figures “reflect the country coming out of the pandemic and accompanying rising prices” and that record levels of support have been provided through cost-of-living payments, the Household Support Fund and the Energy Price Guarantee which “will continue to hold down people’s energy bills”.

St Helens Foodbank operates at The Hope Centre on Atherton Street, at Parr Mount in Fingerpost, at St John's Church in Earlestown, Newton Community Centre in Newton-le-Willows and St Helens Baptist Church on Hall Street.

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