Meacher’s concern for ‘workless’ households

A staggering 11,000 children in Oldham are being raised by parents or guardians where no-one in the house is in employment.

The Office of National Statistics figures also revealed that 16,000 households — 22.6 per cent of Oldham’s total — were classed as “workless” last year.

The figures have remained unchanged since 2009.

Nationally, the figure for workless households was 18.9 per cent and 16 per cent of children living in workless households.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher said: “These are worrying figures and the percentage of children in workless households in Oldham is half as much again as the national average. It is exceedingly high and very worrisome as we are in a low-wage area. Obviously, the families will be getting some form of benefit but they will have to be living a very modest standard of living.”

The Labour MP said he also feared the message it sent out to young people.

“The consequences of unemployment can be devastating for a family and create feelings of low morale and hopelessness,” he said.

“What I am fearful of is that the numbers of workless households will rise as government cuts begin to take hold. People are also going to see cuts to benefits.”

Oldham had the highest percentage of children in workless households in the north Greater Manchester area. In comparison, 22.8 per cent of all youngsters are affected in Wigan, 20.7 per cent in Rochdale, 19.3 in Bolton and 15 per cent in Bury.

Figures for workless households in the area show Bolton has the biggest problem with 23 per cent of all households with no-one working, Oldham joint with Rochdale at 22.6 per cent of all homes, in comparison to 19 per cent in Wigan and 17.1 per cent in Bury.

Yesterday’s figures also showed the worst areas — a third of households in Liverpool, Nottingham and Glasgow were classed as workless in 2010.