Inequality and Social Mobility
Debate between Philippa Whitford and Margaret Greenwood(5 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Margaret Greenwood
My hon. Friend makes an absolutely crucial point and it is important that young people in Barnsley get the support that they need.
Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP)
The most shocking statistic that I have heard since I have been in this House was when we did an inquiry with the UK Faculty of Public Health, which said that 1,400 children a year under the age of 15 die as a direct result of poverty. If it was the roof of a high school, we would be doing something about it.
Margaret Greenwood
The hon. Lady is absolutely right; she raises a shocking example and highlights the importance of this issue. We know that 4.1 million children growing up in poverty is leading to such disadvantage and we have talked about the mental ill health and the effects on children’s educational attainment.