Minister visits kids' holiday club

A GOVERNMENT minister on a visit to one of Teesside’s - and the country’s - most deprived areas has admitted tackling child poverty is a “huge challenge”.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

Education minister Catherine McKinnell spent time at the Teesside Academy of Gymnastics on the Newport South Business Park, in Middlesbrough, during a session for about 40 youngsters.

The academy was hosting the Government-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free childcare places for children from low-income families and allows them to take part in enrichment activities.

The minister for school standards was introduced to Newport Primary School headteacher Tricia Maxwell and Brendan O’Brien, director and head coach at the academy.

Bring it on Boro, Middlesbrough's HAF programme, is offering a total of 27,000 places via 50 different providers during July and August.

About 85% of children living in the town’s Newport ward are deemed to be living in poverty, almost four times the national average, according to data published by the Department of Work and Pensions.

Minister for School Standards Mrs McKinnell said the Government was “absolutely determined” to ensure that where youngsters came from and their family’s means was not the sole determining factor in what could be achieved in life. She said: “We are trying to break down the barriers for opportunity that some of these children might face otherwise.