A THIRD OF CHILDREN IN STOCKPORT LIVING IN POVERTY

12.05.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 26th May 2009

New figures from Save The Children showing that more than a third of children in Stockport live in poverty have been branded a disgrace by local MP Andrew Stunell, speaking at an event last week in Westminster.

According to research from Save the Children, 27,030 children in Stockport are living in poverty. In a recent survey they found that nearly half of the poorest parents in the country have cut back on food and heating because of the recession, with around half suffering sleepless nights and more than a third suffering from depression.

Mr Stunell joined with Save the Children to demonstrate his support for helping the UK's poorest children in this year's Budget, and urged the government not to forget its promise of halving child poverty by 2010 - and ending it by 2020.

Commenting, Andrew said:

"The news that there are over 27,000 children living in poverty in Stockport is deeply worrying.

"After spending so much money on bailing out the bankers, the Government would have nowhere to hide if it backed away from spending commitments towards children and families that are suffering in our country.

"The Government must renew their pledges on child poverty and I will do everything I can to see that they do. It is essential that we help those that have been hit hardest and don't abandon them in these hard economic times."

Sally Copley, head of UK policy for Save the Children said:

"We are delighted to see MPs showing their support for ending child poverty. Too many children in this country are growing up without enough money for a nutritious diet or a warm home. We need everyone in Westminster to commit to ending this tragedy."

ENDS