THE government will be asked to review its benefits and welfare strategy after a reported increase in child poverty across south lakeland.

The problem locally has climbed from 14 per cent to 15.9 per cent in four years, according to a motion to South Lakeland District Council.

It has been tabled ahead of a meeting of the council on Tuesday (18th December) by Liberal Democrat councillors who run the council.

The issue has been raised recently by council leader Giles Archibald and Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron.

The council is being asked to call on the Government to provide more funds so councils can help the disadvantaged.

The motion by councillor Philip Dixon, who represents Kendal, stated that use of the Kings Food Bank in Kendal has risen by 16 per cent.

“The current freeze on benefits and the rollout of Universal Credit are partly to blame for these increases,” the motion reads.

It calls on the Government to provide more support for the most vulnerable and to “take urgent steps to address this appalling trend.”

It is proposed that the council chairman Eric Morrell, who represents Grange, writes to the secretary of state for Local Government, James Brokenshire MP, expressing the council’s “dismay”.

At a meeting in October, Ulverston councillor Janette Jenkinson said councils had been provided with millions of pounds in the past but it had not always helped eradicate the issue.

She said: “It is no use putting money into projects that aren’t going to work, because it’s soul-destroying for those involved.”

County councillor James Airey (Con, Furness Peninsula) also told a meeting that work was best the route out of poverty.