Child poverty 'Interventionist' plan is launched

THE West of England Combined Authority has launched a “proudly interventionist” plan to tackle child poverty after revealing more than a third of children in Bristol are growing up in hardship.

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The strategy outlines measures to widen childcare access and support families across the region where social mobility is among the lowest in the country despite high economic growth.

Weca mayor Helen Godwin said: “The West is seen as an affluent, progressive region but that reputation belies a painful reality. In Bristol 35 per cent of children are growing up in poverty.

“In some parts of our towns and cities, every other child faces that daily uphill battle. Our rural areas face similar challenges, with between one in four and one in five children in poverty.”

Key measures will include establishing a new regional partnership and using combined authority powers to widen early years provision alongside creating a cooperative childcare staff bank.