Oldham MP demands greater action on child poverty

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams called for greater action on tackling child poverty, in a speech to the Child Poverty Action Group Conference.

Ms Abrahams’ speech thanked the welfare professionals in attendance, making clear that their support was “vital” to many people in need.

Ms Abrahams discussed her work as a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, noting that there is “an increasing tide of anger at what our social security system has become – anything but a system that provides security.”

The speech also referenced the shocking statistic that just under one in two children in Ms Abrahams’ Oldham East and Saddleworth constituency grow up in poverty.

This compared to the less than one in five in the Cheadle constituency. Ms Abrahams said, in response, that “it is a moral scandal that in twenty first century Britain, the postcode you are born in is such a determinant of your life chances.”

This statistic was also linked to a new report from the Child of the North All Party Parliamentary Group, published last week, which found that "children in London receive nearly 10% more funding that those in the North, although more children in the North grow up in poverty.”

Following the speech, Ms Abrahams said: “In my speech to the Child Poverty Action Group I drew upon my experience of the shocking child poverty that exists, both from my background in Public Health and my nearly thirteen years representing Oldham and Saddleworth in Parliament. 

"While talent and aspiration is evenly spread, in our country opportunity is not.

"As such, as your MP and a member of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, I will continue my work to tackle child poverty through a stronger social security system.

"The last Labour Government took one million children out of poverty and the next Labour Government will be absolutely committed to shattering the class ceiling, introducing breakfast clubs and having a new Child Poverty Strategy."

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