North East politicians have spoken on the issue of child poverty following a ‘shocking’ report released today (February 16).

The North East Child Poverty Commission (NECPC) has today (February 16) called for a ‘public health approach’ towards child poverty as it identified strategic priorities needed to address the issue in its report released on Friday.

It found that more than one third of all babies, children and young people in the North East (35%) are currently living in poverty – 6 per cent higher than the UK average.

Mayoral candidates for the North East Mayoral Combined Authority (NEMCA) and Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), as well as MPs from across the region, have spoken in support of tackling child poverty.

Kim McGuinness, former Police Commissioner and the Labour candidate for the NEMCA, has pledged to work towards ending child poverty in the region.

She said: "If a factory was closing down we’d hear Tory ministers in Parliament pledging action. But when those child poverty figures emerged there was complete silence from officials in London – we’re simply too far north for them to care.

“Instead, our region has to unite and help each other.

“I’m standing to be mayor with a core pledge behind my actions - every investment decision I make as mayor will be based on what this project will do to end child poverty.

“The long term solution to child poverty is two-fold; we need more well paid jobs in the foundational economy and we need better early childhood services.

“I want the North East to see a new era of childhood support as a way of tackling poverty and removing barriers to work.”

The report highlighted the child poverty gap in the new NEMCA area, comparing Newcastle’s wards with the highest and lowest child poverty rates – Elswick (57%) and North Jesmond (2%), which have a staggering difference of 55 per cent.

Additionally, the report showed the gap between the best performing areas in the Tees Valley Combined Authority area was wider - standing at 62 per cent when comparing Newport in Middlesbrough (66%) and Mowden in Darlington (4%).

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat candidate for the NEMCA mayoral position, Dr Aidan King, said he was shocked by the contents of the report, but added this was not surprising.

He said: “For too many years, the North East has topped all the wrong league tables when it comes to poverty across the nation and this latest report is just another instance of this. It’s clear for all to see that our region desperately needs a change of direction.

“The best way we can tackle child poverty across the North East is through proper, planned economic investment and growth that will lead to truly transformational opportunities for residents in our region.

“Our regional economy has flatlined and as a doctor I know the only way to deal with a flatlined patient is with a shot of adrenaline. My economic package is the adrenaline boost our region needs.”

Conservative councillor for Northumberland County Council, Guy Renner-Thompson, said: “As the Councillor responsible for children and young people in Northumberland this is a subject close to my heart. I have agreed to meet with the authors of the report to discuss the recommendations.

In the long term, the only way to end poverty is through well paid work. This is why my plan is to make the North East the home of the jobs of the future and turbocharge our education and skills sector so those jobs go to local people.”

Independent North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll said: "Keeping children in poverty not only damages individuals and families, it also leaves deep scarring on our society and economy.

"As Mayor I've created 5,377 new well-paid jobs against a Government target of 1,666. Ours is the only Combined Authority running a Child Poverty Prevention Programme. In 100 schools my team and I are poverty proofing the school day and offering benefits advice at the school gates. So far we have helped families claim over £1 million in vital welfare payments that they were owed, helping them afford basics like heating, baby food and nappies. It's heartening to see the North East Child Poverty Commission praising our work as a model of best practice. 

"Sadly the 'elephant in the room' is the cruel two-child benefit cap. A policy which plunged 45,000 North East kids into poverty - enough to fill the Stadium of Light. Research has shown that this policy has impoverished families rather than increase employment. The day I left the Labour Party was the same day Sir Keir Starmer announced they would keep this inhumane policy. It makes me furious that both Labour and Conservatives are committed to keeping children in poverty. 

"We cannot ignore the fact that we need the next government, be it Labour or Conservative, to remove the two-child benefit cap and properly fund our local councils. Anything less would be a betrayal of our region's future."

Chris McEwan, Labour’s Candidate for Tees Valley Mayor said: “This report makes for grim reading. No child should have to grow up in poverty. This is an issue that I care deeply about and have witnessed the impact first hand. As Tees Valley Mayor, I would do everything in my power to not only lift people out of poverty, but to tackle it at its root.”

“I’ll work with groups like the NECPC, local councils, local charities and a Labour Government to support families and schools to deliver for our children.”

“14 years of the Tories has hurt the Tees Valley. It’s time for change.”

MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, Simon Clarke said the report serves as another reminder of the challenges many families across the region face.

He added that his party plan to bring jobs to Teesside to help tackle the issue and cited Teesworks and the Freeport.

He said: "The only long-term solution to defeating child poverty is by creating genuine opportunity for the communities, such as those in Teesside, where it is most prevalent - and that's exactly what we're doing. 

"The latest NECPC report findings only prove just how vital it is that we continue in our mission to bring jobs and growth to Teesside - despite the constant attacks from a local Labour Party.

"Teesside’s economy is set to boom because of Teesworks and our Freeport. 

  "Meanwhile, we've introduced measures such as the Back to Work Plan, increased Universal Credit childcare cap, and the provision of 30 hours of free childcare per week for working parents.

"We are determined to support parents into work, understanding that children in workless households are significantly more likely to be in poverty.”

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Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, said: “This is another heartbreaking report from the NECPC. It beggars belief that, in the 21st century, we can have a region where poverty is endemic.

“Yet when I raised child poverty at Prime Minister’s questions (the session during which the Home Secretary insulted my constituency) Rishi Sunak, using his own unique measure, dismissed my concerns and claimed child poverty was falling across the country. This latest report shows that claim up for what it is – total nonsense.

“I’d challenge the PM to take the short trip from Richmond to my constituency to meet some of those people living in poverty to understand what life is like for hundreds of thousands of them across the North East and send him back to London to rethink his plans for tax cuts for the richest in society, and to address the very real issues in the NECPC report.”

The Northern Echo approached all candidates for the NECA mayoral position for comment.