Motion on Child Poverty and the Two Child Benefit Cap
Councillor Sue Waddington proposes that:
Leicester City Council wishes to express its deep concern about the growth in child poverty in Leicester and nationally.
The latest study published by the Social Metrics Commission (SMC) found that more than one in three children nationally -36% - are living in poverty, and the Leicester figures are even higher because of the lower levels of income among Leicester families. Child poverty dropped to 27% under the previous Labour Government, but under Conservative Governments it has risen each year from 2015 to the present levels.
The two child benefit cap has resulted in 55% of poor children living in families with three or more children, and the cap has contributed to the highest levels of child poverty ever recorded.
We recognise that the Labour Government is dealing with the legacy of a financial black hole and that it will want to address child poverty as soon as possible. We call upon the Government to give this the highest priority and will write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor to ask them to do so with all urgency, beginning with abolishing the two child benefit cap.
As a Council we will also do everything possible within our powers and resources to combat child poverty so that all Leicester children can grow up free from poverty and deprivation.
Councillor Zuffar Haq proposes that:
This Council notes the following
Leicester residents suffer from an unacceptable lack of access to GP and primary care services. According to a recent BBC analysis Leicester has the second worst GP patient ratio in England with 3262 patients per GP.
With GPs being designated as the key gatekeepers to NHS treatment by the new Labour Government, the lack of GPs in Leicester is closing the door to vital health services for people living in the city.
Leicester already has a 40% child poverty rate, a diverse population with poor health and high levels of deprivation. It has one of the worst life expectancy differential between city and county
Whilst NHS staff are doing a great job under relentless pressures since its creation the Leicester Integrated Care Board (ICB), has consistently failed to improve Primary Healthcare in Leicester.
An example of this, is the ICB's decision to close the local GP surgery in Evington Village, meaning that patients registered at this surgery and without their own transport, will now face 4 bus journeys to visit their GP at the main surgery. This is very impractical for a person who is feeling unwell, many of whom are elderly. This situation will result in more ambulance call outs, adding further pressures to an already overstretched service and contributing to the intense pressures staff are already working under in A&E, causing even longer waiting times for patients, which is already a major concern.
This council, therefore, resolves the following.
To write to the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England to take immediate action, to ensure that primary care services in Leicester are improved and if we don’t get constructive action within 8 weeks we will be calling for further action in full council.
To ask officers of the council to report back to a Full Council meeting with the Secretary of State's and NHS England's response at the earliest possible opportunity.
Minutes:
Motion 1: Child Poverty and the Two Child Benefit Cap
Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council 16 January 2025 Livestream - YouTube at time 1:36:00-2:06:16
Moved by Councillor, Waddington, seconded by Councillor Clarke:
Leicester City Council wishes to express its deep concern about the growth in child poverty in Leicester and nationally.
The latest study published by the Social Metrics Commission (SMC) found that more than one in three children nationally -36% - are living in poverty, and the Leicester figures are even higher because of the lower levels of income among Leicester families. Child poverty dropped to 27% under the previous Labour Government, but under Conservative Governments it has risen each year from 2015 to the present levels.
The two child benefit cap has resulted in 55% of poor children living in families with three or more children, and the cap has contributed to the highest levels of child poverty ever recorded.
We recognise that the Labour Government is dealing with the legacy of a financial black hole and that it will want to address child poverty as soon as possible. We call upon the Government to give this the highest priority and will write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor to ask them to do so with all urgency, beginning with abolishing the two child benefit cap.
As a Council we will also do everything possible within our powers and resources to combat child poverty so that all Leicester children can grow up free from poverty and deprivation.
The Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.
Motion 2
Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council 16 January 2025 Livestream - YouTube at time 2:06:16-2:50:45
Councillor Sahu declared an interest in the item and left the chamber.
Moved by Councillor Haq, seconded by Councillor Kennedy-Lount:
This Council notes the following:
Leicester residents suffer from an unacceptable lack of access to GP and primary care services. According to a recent BBC analysis Leicester has the second worst GP patient ratio in England with 3262 patients per GP.
With GPs being designated as the key gatekeepers to NHS treatment by the new Labour Government, the lack of GPs in Leicester is closing the door to vital health services for people living in the city.
Leicester already has a 40% child poverty rate, a diverse population with poor health and high levels of deprivation. It has one of the worst life expectancy differential between city and county.
Whilst NHS staff are doing a great job under relentless pressures since its creation the Leicester Integrated Care Board (ICB), has consistently failed to improve Primary Healthcare in Leicester.
An example of this, is the ICB's decision to close the local GP surgery in Evington Village, meaning that patients registered at this surgery and without their own transport, will now face 4 bus journeys to visit their GP at the main surgery. This is very impractical for a person who is feeling unwell, many of whom are elderly. This situation will result in more ambulance call outs, adding further pressures to an already overstretched service and contributing to the intense pressures staff are already working under in A&E, causing even longer waiting times for patients, which is already a major concern.
This council, therefore, resolves the following.
To write to the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England to take immediate action, to ensure that primary care services in Leicester are improved and if we don’t get constructive action within 8 weeks we will be calling for further action in full council.
AMENDMENT
Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Dempster:
This Council notes the following:
Leicester residents suffer from an unacceptable lack of access to GP and primary care services. According to a recent BBC analysis, Leicester has the second worst GP patient ratio in England, with 3,262 patients per GP.
The places with the worst GP shortages in England revealed - BBC News
NHS staff are doing a great job under relentless pressures.
This council, therefore, resolves the following:
To write to the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England to take action to ensure that primary care services in Leicester are improved.
To ask officers of the council to report back to Scrutiny with the Secretary of State’s and NHS England’s response at the earliest possible opportunity.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT
Moved by Councillor Russell, seconded by Councillor Dempster:
That the motion read to say “Full Council” instead of “Scrutiny” on the final sentence of the motion to read: “To ask officers of the council to report back to Full Council with the Secretary of State’s and NHS England’s response at the earliest possible opportunity.”
The Lord Mayor put the amended motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.