Child Poverty: Greater Manchester

Opened the debate

Afzal Khan is concerned about the high levels of child poverty in Greater Manchester, citing statistics from Greater Manchester Poverty Action that estimate around 250,000 children live in poverty. He notes that 11 out of every 30 students in Greater Manchester are living in poverty, which is higher than both England and UK averages. Khan points to the impact on health, with one in three children not being school-ready when they start reception and almost 40% of those eligible for free school meals failing to achieve a good level of development.

Government Response

It is an honour to serve under the chairmanship. I thank Afzal Khan for securing this debate and acknowledge Greater Manchester as a vibrant city with many positives driving its resources. While disagreeing with the portrayal of child poverty, the minister highlights universal credit and free school meals introduced by their government. The welfare system will spend £276 billion in Great Britain this financial year, including a £124 billion package on people of working age and their children. There has been a 6.7% increase in working-age benefits for 2024-25 and an increase in local housing allowance from April, benefiting 1.6 million low-income households. The government provided £104 billion over 2022-23 to 2024-25 to help with the cost of living, including £900 payments for eligible means-tested benefits across Greater Manchester. An additional £1 billion has been allocated to the household support fund until March and will be reviewed before spring announcements. The minister highlights £2.5 billion provided through the household support fund since October 2021, with £134.6 million allocated to Greater Manchester's upper-tier local authorities. Work is emphasised as key in lifting children out of poverty; data shows fewer children in absolute poverty after housing costs compared to 2009-10 and a reduction in workless households. The focus is on tackling childcare and transport barriers, with the extension of £2 bus fares and free childcare support. Universal credit provides up to 85% of childcare costs, increasing by almost 50% last year for single and multiple children. From April, subject to parliamentary approval, maximum universal credit childcare amounts will increase further. The minister concludes by emphasising the commitment to providing opportunities for parents to succeed in work as a sustainable way to tackle child poverty.