Fighting for a fairer Oldham

A FAIRER Oldham . . . (back, from left) Jackie Greenfield (VAO), Martin Larkham (Oldham Trades Council) Carol Blake (Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People) and Jayne Clarke (principal of Oldham Sixth Form College). Front: David Hayes (Oldham Association of Secondary Heads and Principals), MP Debbie Abrahams and Councillor Linda Thompson

CHILDREN from low-income households are Oldham’s worst-off - and women are still being paid less than male colleagues says a new report.

The report, by the Oldham Fairness Commission, set up by Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams in 2013, identifies local inequalities in education, employment, and income, and how to address them.

The report says children from a low-income household are less likely to do well at school, with white boys on free school meals achieving least. Those of Pakistani or Bangladeshi heritage are 30 per cent less likely to be in work than the equivalent white population.

Working women are paid, on average, 20 per cent less than male colleagues in equivalent jobs. And

someone with a disability is 34 per cent less likely to be in work than an able-bodied person.

Mrs Abrahams said: “Oldham is a wonderful place to live and work, but it is a fact that certain groups of people do better than others. There are consistent patterns in these inequalities which ultimately affect not only how long we will live but how long we live in good health.

“There is no greater inequality and injustice than knowing that you are likely to die sooner just because you’re poor.”

There are 30 recommendations in the report, which include making Oldham a “living wage” borough.

One of the commissioners, Craig Dean, who is also president of the Oldham Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is no secret that there are deep-rooted inequalities in our system. If we are to continue making meaningful strides towards fairness, it’s vital the Government continues to engage with representatives in all areas of society.”

Commissioners are proposing to host a conference this summer to develop their recommendations and associated action plans.

The full report and its recommendations can be found at www.debbieabrahams.org.uk.