When the residents of Gorton and Denton head to the polls this Thursday, they hold the future of over 6,000 local children in their hands.
These young boys and girls are set to benefit on April 1st with the removal of the controversial two-child rule. Certain low-income families will see an increase of nearly £70 per week as a result.
Child poverty continues to impact almost half of all children, standing at 48% across the constituency. In Longsight, a staggering 73% of children are growing up in poverty.
As the Labour government’s child-friendly reforms come into effect in April, these statistics are expected to decrease significantly, bringing renewed hope. Children will be better positioned to excel academically.
With the expansion of breakfast clubs, free school meals, and the forthcoming establishment of more Sure Start centers, the government’s efforts against poverty are gaining momentum, lifting children out of destitution and opening up new opportunities for them.
Recently, the Reform party expressed their intention to eliminate the two-child rule as well. Despite current shadow chancellor Robert Jenrick previously supporting the abolition in the House of Commons, the party now plans to reinstate the rule, potentially pushing children back into poverty.
Propagandists from the Reform party allege that the main beneficiaries of these policies are lazy, unemployed parents. However, statistics reveal that six out of ten children affected by this policy for nearly a decade have at least one working parent.
Additionally, three out of ten children either are too young, unwell, or disabled, preventing their mothers from working or having a parent with a disability themselves.
With over 90% of children in families striving to make ends meet, the narrative of lazy, work-shy parents promoted by the right-wing is inaccurate and morally wrong.
The upcoming by-election presents a clear choice: supporting the ongoing efforts to lift children out of poverty with Labour’s local candidate Angeliki Stogia or reverting to the austerity years under the Conservative party.