'Families worrying about how they’ll put food on their kids’ plates' - The reality of poverty in Greater Manchester in 2022

The government's 'Levelling Up' agenda is failing Greater Manchester, a new study says. The Greater Manchester Poverty Action's (GMPA) 'Poverty Monitor' has collected troubling data which shows high levels of poverty in different areas of the city-region, which are likely to get worse.

With the deepening cost of living crisis hitting families pockets' hard as inflation continues to soar and energy bills look set to rise again, more families and children are being pushed into poverty, the monitor says. The research outlines that more than one in four children are living in poverty across the region, with the number of foodbanks and other low income support providers meeting people's basic food needs doubling over the last five years. This is data is from key areas including child poverty, health, fuel and food insecurity, and education.

Fuel poverty is crippling 15 per cent of homes across the region with nearly 200,000 people earning less than the 'Real Living Wage' of £9.90 per hour. And far from 'Levelling Up', Greater Manchester is actually falling behind in a number of areas, according to the report.

READ MORE:BREAKING: Misery for millions as energy price cap to rise AGAIN and send bills soaring, Ofgem boss says

The research comes as energy executives confirmed that the energy price cap will once again be rising in October amid an already soaring cost of living crisis. Ofgem chief executive Jonothan Brearley has told the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee that the regulator is expecting an energy price cap "in the region of £2,800". He noted how conditions have worsened in the global gas market.

Women in the city-region have a life expectancy six years lower than those in the wealthiest parts of