A few statistics, courtesy of Salford City Council...
* The mean household income in Salford is £28,900 which is 23% lower than the UK average of £37,500.
* The unemployment claimant rate in Salford is 1.7% compared to 1.5% in England.
* 70% of the population live in areas classified as highly deprived
* Salford is the 22nd most deprived of the 326 local authority districts in England
* 25% of Salford children (12,300 children) live in poverty compared to 18% in England.
Despite all the `regeneration' and Monopoly board unaffordable development, poverty in Salford is still rampant and growing, thanks to cuts in public services, welfare and real wages.
On Friday, 8th July, the Salford Poverty Truth Commission launches at Eccles Old Town Hall with an event that's open to the public*. A partnership between Church Action on Poverty, Community Pride and the Broughton Trust, it will see people who are affected by poverty work with business leaders and political leaders to try and sort answers to the issue in the city.
Over the next year, 15 civic and business decision-makers from the city, including Salford and Eccles MP, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Dr Tom Tasker, chair of Salford Clinical Commissioning Group and Jon Monk from the Salford Business Group, will work with 15 people who have experienced poverty drawn from across Salford... "They will build relationships, share experiences and explore how the city can respond to poverty more effectively" state the organisers.
"Poverty Truth Commissions in Glasgow and Leeds have made a huge positive difference to their cities" explains Sarah Whitehead, a community empowerment worker "Now we want to do the same in Salford. We're asking: `What if people who have directly faced poverty could influence decisions about poverty? Would it make a difference to decisions that are made? Would new solutions to poverty be discovered? If people listen, will they better understand the challenges that poverty brings?'"
One of the conclusions of the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission was that `There is no shortage of good will and commitment to challenge poverty in Leeds but...it is a marathon, not a sprint...'
Will it change anything in Salford? "I got involved because I think poverty is a major issue in society today" says Laura Kendall, a community engagement worker at Ordsall Community Arts, full-time mum, and one of the 'grassroots commissioners' "I've directly faced it and I know many other people do too. I hope the Commission will allow decision-makers to understand the impact of their decisions on people's lives."
The Salford Poverty Truth Commission, which is sponsored by the Bishop of Salford, John Arnold and Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, launches this Friday 8th July at Eccles Old Town Hall, Church Street M30 0LH.
*The event is free, runs between 10:30am and 12:45pm but people are asked to arrive at 10am and register in advance click here.
To see the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission findings click here
UPDATE: 10th July 2016: For a full report on the Launch - click here
See also previous related Salford Star articles...
The Devastating Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Salford People click here
Over One Quarter of Salford Kids Still in Poverty click here
Salford Residents Pushed Out Through Ordsall Property Boom click here
New Salford Deprivation Figures Show Regeneration Failure click here
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