Farron – Child poverty figures are a disgrace

New figures which show that over 2,000 children in the South Lakes are living in poverty have been branded a disgrace by local MP Tim Farron.

Figures released today by End Poverty Now show that 2168 children in Westmorland and Lonsdale are living in poverty - which is 15.5% of all children in the area.

Tim said: "In the South Lakes we've seen a worrying rise in the use of food banks and over the past year I've regularly had people turning up to my surgeries who are in desperate need.

"I've spoken to local head teachers who fear that their children won't eat properly over the school holidays.

"But these figures really do hammer home just how serious this situation is.

"House prices have rocketed at the same time as wages have been kept low and people have lost vital in-work benefits.

"The Government must immediately do everything they can to tackle this because for so many children in Westmorland and Lonsdale to be living in poverty is nothing short of a disgrace."