The UK’s record on child poverty is woeful given that we are supposed to be the 5th richest nation in the world. To think that in this day and age around 30% of children in this country of ours are living in poverty is really shocking.

Here in Walsall North the figures are even worse. There are 23,570 children living in poverty. That equates to 36.1%; well above the national average. There are 5,000 children living in 2,800 families living with problem debt.

Based on the latest prevalence survey that estimates 1 in 10 young people aged between 5 and 16 had a clinically diagnosed mental health problem, there would be around 1,500 children this age in need of support in Walsall North there are 1,191 children known to children’s services in Walsall because of abuse and neglect.

According to police recorded data for sexual offences against children in West Midlands Police Authority, 1,984 children were victims of a sexual offence in 2015/16

These figures are shocking in a country which calls itself civilised and the sad fact is that they will get worse.

The Institute for Fiscal, Studies having seen the proposals from the three main Parties on how they would reduce the gap between the haves and have nots came to the conclusion that the proposals contained in the Liberal Democrat manifesto would be the most effective. The main reason for them reaching this conclusion is that the Tories have agreed £7 billion in cuts to the benefit’s budget by 2020. Shamefully Labour has failed to pledge to reinstate this Scroogelike cut. Only the Liberal democrats have a fully costed plan to replace this desperately needed cash.

Other attacks on support for some of the most vulnerable in our society include Theresa May’s plan to snatch free school meals from children in our infant schools which were the brain child of Nick Clegg during the coalition years. The Tories have said they would replace the free school meal at lunchtime with a breakfast instead. This plan is uncosted but an estimate put the cost £60,000,000. When it was pointed out to the Tories that each meal would have to be provided for 7p they withdrew the estimate but kept the uncosted policy. Kids need food if they are to concentrate and study. Rumbling stomachs and the consumption of cheap fast food attacks their ability to think and progress as well as making life difficult for the teachers.

Liberal Democrats during the coalition years succeeded in getting help for children in deprived areas in the form of Pupil Premium. This extra cash enables schools to give extra help to children from deprived backgrounds to help them catch up on education giving them a good start in life. This money is proving to be effective, it provides the extra support within the school setting. It’s the kind of support that is more readily available within middle class and wealthier families. Progress is being made in reducing the educational attainment gap across the country.

Despite all the furore over tuition fees for undergraduates more children from poorer backgrounds have been able to access higher education because of the increased grants that were made available to them. Within months of the Tories winning the 2015 General Election these were slashed.

The progress that was made in education during the coalition years are being further threatened by Tory proposals to move money for education to wealthier areas by changing the formula for education to one which is based on numbers of students instead of recognising need.

If children can’t be given the support they need at home then they need to be able to access that help elsewhere. Far too many children live transient lives in poor accommodation with not enough good nourishing food to eat. This causes major issues with the mental health of children. Issues which need to be tackled sooner rather than later if they are to avoid those problems affecting the rest of their lives.

It is becoming abundantly clear that this country is going to get poorer, as a result the money needed to make for a fairer society will become harder to access.

It is also becoming clearer that the Hard Brexit option being promoted by Theresa May (who actually campaigned to Remain) will reduce the tax take, reduce employment opportunities and minimise wage growth and reduce the ability to progress up the employment ladder.

Both Labour and the Tories have steered away from any form of detail in the Brexit debate because they know that the outlook is bleak and nothing like the picture that was painted by the likes of Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage.

Eradicating poverty, especially for children, is a major priority for us as Liberal Democrats here in Walsall where 36.1% of children in the borough are living in poverty. What a waste of potential, one which condemns us to exist in a low-cost economy world. It really does not have to be like this.

Don’t let the right-wing media backed by the same money as promotes Theresa May and her Tories take you for granted. It’s time for real change.

Content published and promoted by Roy Sheward on behalf of Dan Barker (Liberal Democrats) all at 144 Redhouse Lane, Walsall, WS5 0DB