SHOCKING new figures have revealed that almost one in four children in Pendle are still living in poverty.
And there are fears that the numbers, which were released by the Campaign to End Child Poverty, will rocket further if local authorities do not make the correct decisions when it comes to budget cuts.
The research shows that a staggering 4,863 children in the borough are classed as being below the poverty line.
This equates to 23% of youngsters, in comparison to 24% last year.
The local figures given in the latest report represent poverty levels before housing costs.
Since 2011 there has been a significant drop in some local statistics, especially in Nelson wards.
However, it has been revealed that the signs for child poverty are still worrying.
The report, which represents the views of over 100 charities committed to putting a stop to child poverty in the UK, states: “Even though the latest available national figures showed fall in relative poverty up until early 2011, this improvement is now reversing.
“The Institute for Fiscal Studies predicts a growth in child poverty of 400,000 between 2011 and 2015, and a total of 800,000 by 2020.
“This prediction came before recent announcements about benefits uprating: the Welfare Uprating Bill currently being debated in Parliament is expected to push another 200,000 children into poverty.”
Across the North-West, figures are also shown to be alarmingly high, with a worrying 38% of children living in poverty in Manchester, and 33% in Liverpool.
• For the full story and local responses see this week’s Nelson Leader, Colne Times, or Barnoldswick and Earby Times