Many children in Llangefni living in poverty, says report

Oct 8 2008 by Rachel Owen, Holyhead and Anglesey Mail

AN AREA of Llangefni has been highlighted in a survey for its high level of poverty.

In the Tudur ward of Anglesey 75% of children live in low-income families.

The survey by the Campaign to End Child Poverty shows pockets of poverty all over North Wales, where many families are living on the breadline.

In the Llangefni ward, 280 children out of 375 are in low-income families and Anglesey as a whole has 20% poverty.

The research was compiled from government statistics and includes the numbers of children in families on working families tax credit.

It is the first time the number of children in struggling families has been calculated.

Anglesey Council says it has invested heavily into combating poverty on the island.

A council spokesperson said: “Child poverty is not, of course, exclusive to the towns or cities of Wales. Despite being a rural area, Ynys Môn is also affected due to the high levels of social deprivation found here.

“A child is considered poor if he/she lives in a household where income is less than 60% of the national average.

“Child poverty manifests itself in educational underachievement, poor health and limited opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, all of which can mean additional pressures on a local authority.

“One of the core aims of the Ynys Môn Children and Young People’s Plan 2008-2011 is to ensure that children and young people are not disadvantaged by poverty.

“We have invested heavily in the Llais Ni (Our Voice) project which gives children and young people a voice and works directly with schools and focus groups on child poverty and other issues.

“Poverty is not just income poverty, it can also be poverty of participation and services.

“The council, therefore, continually strives to create employment, reduce inequalities and provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and improve local services for them.”

Anglesey council adopted the Children and Young People’s Plan on September 16.

Specifically regarding the Tudur Ward, they said: “Tudur Ward has been recognised as a deprived area in the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation since 2000, and is currently in the 10% most deprived wards in Wales.

“This is due to a combination of factors such as the level of income, employment, skill levels and health. “It is inevitable, therefore, that these factors also impact on the lives of children who live in the area.

“Tudur Ward has been included in Communities First since 2002 and tackling child poverty is now a priority for the programme.

“The Tudur Ward Communities First Partnership, working with other statutory and voluntary organisations is working hard towards this aim, addressing problems such as antisocial behaviour and the lack of safe play areas.”

rachel.owen