There are 6,200 children living in poverty in Watford, according to statistics released by the End Child Poverty Coalition.
Research carried out by Loughborough University on behalf of the coalition shows that 6,200 children were living in poverty in Watford in the year 2021/21. In 2014/15, the figure was 4,896.
Labour county councillor for West Watford Nigel Bell said: “These figures paint a shocking picture of poverty blighting children’s livelihoods in one of the richest countries in the world.
“The Conservative government has failed to tackle poverty and wealth inequality in this country. It took Marcus Rashford to make the government sit up and pay attention to child hunger. But these figures show that they have failed to address the problem.”
Additionally, 5,369 households in Watford “have nothing left to cut back” in the face of the cost-of-living crisis, according to the latest data in the Legal & General Rebuilding Britain Index survey.
A total of 20,237 households in Watford are concerned about being able to keep up with rent or mortgage payments, and 28,497 are being forced to make additional cutbacks.
The analysis comes ahead of the energy price hike in October.
Councillor Matt Turmaine, Watford Labour’s Parliamentary candidate, said: “As families face crippling energy and food price rises, and the cost of school uniforms as everyone prepares to return to school, this situation must surely get worse if the government continues to fail to intervene.”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “These figures highlight the damage that the cost-of-living emergency is having on households and families in Watford. Watford Borough Council is working locally to do everything we can and has created an online hub which signposts people to services that are available. However, what families really need is further financial support from central government.
“The Liberal Democrats have called for a cut in VAT and a further windfall tax so that the energy price cap rise can be cancelled. This should have been put in place already without struggling families having to wait for a new Prime Minister. Further delay will cause already struggling families to suffer more.”
The Conservative Party has been contacted for comment.
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