Around 6,200 children are living in poverty in Watford, research has shown.
Loughborough University carried out the study on behalf of the End Child Poverty Coalition, and found that 23.8 per cent of children living in the town were living in poverty in 2020/21.
A total of 4,896 children were in the same situation in 2014/15.
Matt Turmaine, Watford’s Labour parliamentary candidate, said he fears the increase in child poverty could accelerate with rising costs of energy, school uniforms, and without more intervention from the Government.
The study also revealed that 49% of Watford households are worried about keeping up with their rent or mortgages.
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He said: “These figures are frightening. The cost-of-living crisis is spiralling out of control, and families in Watford are bearing the brunt.
“People need real help now – but the Conservative government is missing in action, obsessed with deciding who will take over from Boris Johnson.
“Meanwhile, Labour has proposed a costed and credible plan to get the country out of this mess – a plan that even three quarters of Tory voters support!”
However, Watford MP Dean Russell has made clear that tackling child poverty is also important to him.
He said: “I know that increasing rent and mortgage payments are a concern for most households across the country, and many are looking at ways to cut costs – particularly as we begin to look towards the winter period alongside increasing energy bills.”
He added that in response to the global economy “shock” caused by the pandemic and Ukraine’s invasion, the Government will provide support worth over £37 billion in 2022-23.
The MP said: “All households will receive a £400 grant, more than eight million households on means tested benefits will receive an additional payment of £650, and all pensioner households will receive an extra £300. Once the new Prime Minister is in place, we will know what additional support will be introduced.”
Responding to claims that the party is “obsessed” with finding the Prime Minister replacement, he stated it is “hugely important” as the future PM will decide what further financial support is needed.
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