Half of Coldhurst children in poverty

ALMOST half of the children of Coldhurst live in poverty, according to a new report.

An investigation by the Campaign to End Child Poverty claims 47 per cent of children in the ward live below the breadline. In Oldham overall 28 per cent of children live in poverty.

The UK-wide campaign is made up of more than 150 organisations, including leading children’s charity Barnardo’s.

Their report offers full data for every ward, local authority and constituency across the country.

While Coldhurst suffered the highest rate, Saddleworth South recorded the lowest child poverty rate, under five per cent.

Paul Wilcox, assistant director of Barnardo’s North-West, said: “These figures show life chances risk being compromised by our nation’s failure to tackle child poverty effectively. The Government must act now by providing practical help to the people who need it most.”