IN SOME areas of Swindon, almost 40 per cent of children are living in poverty, according to a shocking new report.

End Child Poverty has published figures suggesting that after housing costs are taken off, 38.9 per cent of children in Penhill are living in poverty while the figure is 37 per cent in Parks.

Poverty is generally said to exist when a family of two adults and two children lives in a household with less than £15,000 income. Figures are given both before and after basic housing costs, such as rent, are included.

Across the whole of Swindon, child poverty stands at just over 21 per cent, with Ridgeway and Haydon Wick registering the lowest figures.

The report, which covers every area of the country, is being used to highlight the problem which exists nationally.

Council leaders have said the overall Swindon figure is below the national average of 25 per cent but opponents have said it shows why the closure of many children’s centres should not go ahead. Last night, it was agreed that seven of the town’s children centres will close and while some money has been set aside for health workers, the Labour group say it is not enough.

Anne Snelgrove, Labour’s parliamentary candidate in South Swindon, said: “It is timely that this report comes in the same week that the council announce they will spend £150,000 on funding for four family health workers, despite cutting over £1 million from Swindon’s children’s centres over the last two years, leading to seven of them closing.’’ The Labour candidate for North Swindon, Mark Dempsey, said it was time for something to be done about the problem.

“These figures are shocking,” he said. “Child poverty has now reached an astounding 40 per cent in some areas. “I am deeply concerned that this is further evidence of the damage the Tories have done to the life chances of children in Swindon. We have a positive plan to ensure children are given the best start in life, by protecting our children's centres, increasing the minimum wage to £8 an hour, and ending the Tories policy of watering down teaching standards and delivering a qualified teacher in every classroom.”

However, Coun Fionuala Foley (Con, Chiseldon and Lawn), the cabinet member for children’s services, criticised the Labour candidates for playing politics with the issue, saying work was being done in the areas with the highest figures.

She said: “The children’s centres in the areas of the highest need are being protected. These are in Labour wards. I have not played politics with this issue.

“You also have to look at the work this council has done to bring economic growth to Swindon. Only by getting companies to invest and increasing the number of jobs will we solve the problem of child poverty.’’