Labour claims a local analysis of statistics show the percentage of children in Fenland living in poverty “rose each year of Conservative rule”. North East Cambs Labour Party says the Government will ensure one in five Fenland families with children under 16 “now struggling in poverty will get support towards bills for energy, food and water from an extra £421m rolled out by the new Government”.
Cllr Martin Field, chairman of NE Cambs Labour, said: “New figures from a local Labour analysis of DWP statistics for Fenland district reveal the percentage of children living in poverty here rose each year of Conservative rule from 17.7 percent in 2015 to a shocking 21 percent last year – above the national average.
“The Conservatives left Britain broke and broken, but here in Fenland the new Labour government is already taking action to fix the foundations of our country and get Britain moving again.
“The Tories mismanaged our economy so badly that we’ve all taken a battering in recent years and, disgracefully, children of families pushed into poverty have been hit harder than most, their parents dreading rising bills this winter.”
Cllr Field said: “That’s why Labour has announced the £421m extension to the Household Support Scheme – to help families in places like Fenland get through the winter ahead.
“Further details on the latest scheme for local authorities to deliver will be released in the coming weeks.
“And Labour won’t stop there – the new government is taking further action to fix the foundations through our plans to grow the economy, make work pay and get Britain working again.”
He added: “Since Tory policies started to bite around 2012, well-meaning people in the Fenland community have voluntarily stepped up to address the growing need.
“Food Banks run by local volunteers are harder at work each year in all four Fenland towns and many groups, such as Fenland Families and Baby Bank, March FACT Community Fridge and Feed Fenland have sprung up offering emergency support for families.”
Cllr Field, a March town councillor, said that in Wisbech the local food bank revealed that the number of children served in July 2024 is 12 percent up on July last year though eight per cent fewer adults needed aid “showing that more families than singles or couples are currently in need”.
