Birmingham blame game over 'damning' findings on childhood and employment

Birmingham was named among the local authorities with ‘unfavourable conditions of childhood’ in a new report

Birmingham councillors were left playing the blame game following the publication of a “damning” report on social mobility. The State of the Nation report, released earlier this month, defines social mobility as when someone has a ‘different life outcome’ from their parents - for example, in income, occupation, housing, education or wealth.

The Social Mobility Commission, who were behind the report, says it wants to understand whether a person’s background is limiting opportunity. “Social mobility is important because it means the circumstances of birth do not limit what you can achieve,” it says.

“No matter what your starting point, you can go on to lead a fulfilling life". The report proved to be a worrying read for Brummies however, with Birmingham being listed among the local authorities with ‘unfavourable conditions of childhood’ and ‘least favourable labour market opportunities’.

READ MORE: Birmingham City Council's plans for 'minimum' number of libraries - and what would happen to the rest

During a full council meeting this week, Coun Robert Alden argued the report's findings were a "damning indictment on the legacy of 12 years of Labour rule in Birmingham". Coun John Cotton, leader of Birmingham City Council, pointed the finger at the 14 years of Conservative government in response.

He said: “Those damning indictments around child poverty, around structural unemployment and the gap in life expectancy, all of which are appalling signals, are the result of policies that were pursued by that government. This Labour administration here stands firm to work with a new Labour government to address those issues.”

He went on to say they had worked hard previously to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and support communities.

“That’s the kind of thing we’ll continue to do, working with that Labour government,” he added. “I really do think if Coun Alden wants to call out these matters, he really needs to look closer to home.”

Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency

Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

You can see why in more detail here.

Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here.

What you can do to help.

Coun Alden fired back: “Predictable as ever - the leader may have wondered why I hadn’t mentioned the government. I didn’t mention it because it’s not the true story across the rest of the West Midlands.”

He argued it was a “Birmingham issue and therefore a Birmingham Labour issue” before asking if the leader would commit to improving social mobility by “reversing” the proposed cuts to Birmingham’s library service. “Coun Alden is fully aware that the library consultation is under way,” Coun Cotton said.

He continued that the fault around the lack of social mobility lies with the “serious underfunding of local government” during the past 14 years. “That makes it incredibly difficult frankly to deal with many of those deep-seated issues, which affect urban areas,” he said.

“Birmingham as a city is not alone in this, other cities throughout the country have been dealing with those similar issues. So that is why I’m committed to working with a Labour government that’s going to put these matters right.”

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