A new report flags up concerns about child poverty in Brighton and Hove.
The report – to the Brighton and Hove Strategic Partnership – said that the percentage of under 16s living in households in receipt of out of work benefits was an area of possible concern.
Paula Black, head of analysis and performance at Brighton and Hove City Council, presented the report this afternoon (Tuesday 6 December).
It said: “There is a time lag on this data which may be disguising the true current position.
“Other measures of child poverty are also likely to increase.”
Among the issues highlighted in the report were changes to welfare benefits rules, cuts to services supporting vulnerable families and the job market.
The report – on the City Performance Plan – also noted the rising percentage of young people “not in education, employment or training” (NEETs).
It said: “There is some indication that where young people are becoming classified as NEET it is because they are falling out of employment rather than education or training.
“The City Employment and Skills Plan contains actions which are aimed at reducing the NEET figures.
Progress has been made in other areas. These included improving exam results, reducing the number of persistent and prolific offenders and reducing the number of 10 to 17-year-olds being dealt with by the youth justice system for the first time.
The strategic partnership – which includes representatives from the public, private and voluntary sectors – agreed that its members would try to make further progress and tackle the areas of concern.
