Child poverty hits hard across Oldham

OVER half of children in Coldhurst and almost a third of children across Oldham are living in poverty.

A new profile compiled by Oldham Council shows 58.5 per cent of children in Coldhurst and 29.3 per cent of youngsters in Oldham are living in poverty.

The news comes after a report in yesterday’s Chronicle suggested almost half of children in Failsworth and Hollinwood were living in poverty. More figures have now been released, including:

::Almost half of children living in four wards — St Mary’s (47.6 per cent), Werneth (43.5), Alexandra (43.3) and Hollinwood (42.8) — are also affected.

::Infant mortality rates were worst in Crompton with 13.07 per cent per 1,000 live births.

::Emergency hospital admission rates for mental health conditions in children under 20 were highest in the St James (760.53) and Hollinwood (566.86) per 100,000.

::Alcohol specific hospital admission rates in children under 19 years were highest in Crompton (209.64) and then Royton North (118.26) per 100,000.

::Waterhead, Hollinwood and Alexandra wards had ‘significantly higher’ conception rates for under 18s than the borough average (no statistics given).

::In terms of schooling, the worst areas for persistent absences from primary schools in 2008-09 were Werneth (3.24) and Chadderton South (2.79).

::Absences for secondary schools were highest in Alexandra (9.37) and Hollinwood (7.81).

::Youth unemployment was highest in Alexandra (12.5) and Hollinwood (9.3) as of September, 2010.

Councillor Hugh McDonald said: “The aim of these reports is to inform district priorities. They are a great example of why a local approach is critical in improving the lives of residents.”