We have recently published the Greater Manchester Poverty Monitor 2022. The Monitor reveals the scale and nature of poverty in Greater Manchester. By developing this resource we’re able to get a multi-dimensional picture of poverty in the city region across ten themes:
Child poverty, Debt, Education, Fuel, utilities and food, Health, Homelessness, Housing, Deprivation, the Labour market and Social security
This vital resource equips stakeholders with evidence to inform policy development and service design and delivery. We’ve already received positive feedback from users, and it is good to know that the Monitor is proving a useful tool for organisations in our network.
“The Poverty Monitor is very, very useful when we’re planning our strategies for most social impact, really helping local people and subsequently speaking to funders. I found the local statistics in the interactive maps that Chris pointed me to. They are incredibly helpful.” Director of a local VSCE organisation supporting low income families in the Leigh area of Wigan
“I have passed details of the Poverty Monitor to our policy team who will find this valuable in terms of our policy development and lobbying of the DfE and DWP.” National children’s charity
In the Monitor we strive to provide data at below local authority level as we know this is particularly useful when developing local responses to poverty. Whilst this isn’t always possible, local (i.e. at either ward, MSOA or LSOA level) fuel poverty, child poverty and life expectancy data are provided. We intend to add some further neighbourhood level data over the coming months, along with a small number of other updates and additions. Watch this space!
Beyond that, we don’t currently have the resources to keep the Monitor updated on a rolling basis. We know from the feedback we have received in the last week and from comments on the previous iteration of the Monitor that this is a well-used and valued resource.
To support us to secure funding for future updates, and to understand how we can develop and improve the Monitor please complete this short survey.
Thank you for everyone who helped us raise awareness of the Monitor. Please keep doing so by sharing it with colleagues and stakeholders.
Government response to the cost of living crisis
Last Thursday the Government announced help for households to deal with soaring energy (and other) costs. All households will receive £400, with extra support for households in receipt of means tested benefits (£650), pensioners (£300) and people receiving disability benefits (£150).
The Household Support Fund (funding from central government to local councils to support residents who are struggling financially) has also been extended. Next year, benefits will be uprated in line with inflation.
Whilst welcome, it is now time to move on from piecemeal and ad hoc responses to poverty. It is time to fix the benefits system so that it effectively supports people year in, year out to avoid financial hardship and enables them to cope when living costs are soaring.
