30.66% Living Below the Breadline in the Druridge Bay Area

15,000 children in Northumberland are living in poverty

Statistics released by the End Child Poverty coalition, covering the period from July to September 2017, following analysis of tax credit data and national trends in worklessness. They show that a total of 14,847 (24.18 per cent) youngsters throughout the county face poverty – up from 23.48 per cent in the 2016 figures (October to December 2015).

In the Berwick-upon-Tweed constituency, the Druridge Bay ward is the worst affected area, with 343 children (30.66 per cent) living below the breadline.

Ward Councillor Scott Dickinson said:

“These figures don’t surprise me, but they sadden me. “Never as a local member have I seen foodbanks and support services at places like Hadston House required so much. “Luckily in Hadston and Widdrington we have a fantastic community spirit that pulls together and helps one another, dedicated parish councillors and community organisations that provide a community wealth that money cannot buy.”

The totals for the Lynemouth and Pegswood wards are 243 (27.01 per cent) and 220 (22.05 per cent) respectively.

The figures are much lower in other wards, including Ponteland North – 138 children (15.48 per cent) and Longhorsley – 58 children (9.56 per cent).

The worst area in the county is Hirst in Ashington (40.14 per cent), which is in Ian Lavery MP’s Wansbeck constituency.

Other wards above 35 per cent include Newbiggin Central and East (40 per cent) and Ashington Central (38.64 per cent).

The figures for the Morpeth wards are as follows. Morpeth Stobhill – 193 children (19.22 per cent); Morpeth Kirkhill – 147 children (15.61 per cent); Morpeth North – 77 children (10.66 per cent).