BARROW’S general election Labour candidate Chris Altree has rebuked the town’s Conservative party group leader Hazel Edwards for claiming child poverty should not be “political”.
Councillor Edwards’ made the remarks in an article in Saturday's Mail in response to figures revealing that more than a quarter of children in Barrow were living in poverty.
Mr Altree, who grew up on the Ormsgill housing estate, said: “I can assure Hazel Edwards that child poverty is a political issue.
“Benefit cuts under the Conservatives through universal credit and the bedroom tax have put huge pressure on families in this town.
“And the low wage, part-time jobs that are often created mean that those who are working hard are not receiving decent pay."
Cllr Edwards said there were a number of reasons why children were living in poverty in the town.
She said the discussion around it should not be politicised.
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