Local Lib Dem councillor gathers cross-party support to tackle rising poverty in the South Lakes
A Liberal Democrat councillor in Kendal has won cross-party support to tackle the rise of families living in poverty in South Cumbria.
Tonight, Lib Dem and Labour councillors on South Lakeland District Council voted in favour of Cllr Phil Dixon's motion which calls for the Government to urgently review its benefits and welfare strategy.
The motion also proposed that the chairman of the council writes to the Local Government Minister to request more money be provided to local authorities to help the most disadvantaged.
Disappointingly, every Conservative councillor either abstained or voted against the motion.
In South Lakeland, 1 in 7 children are currently living in poverty while the number of people using the local foodbank in Kendal has increased by 16% since last year.
Phil said: "It's incredibly upsetting that in 21st century Britain there will be thousands of kids waking up on Christmas morning cold and hungry.
"I'm proud of the work this council is doing to tackle the rise of poverty including giving full council tax relief to the most vulnerable - but clearly much more needs to be done.
"Our council made a bold statement tonight in saying that this situation is simply not good enough and that we will fight for a better deal for our most vulnerable residents."