MLC wants action on childhood poverty

A Member of Legislative Council wants to take action to tackle childhood poverty.

David Cretney MLC raised a question in this month's Tynwad sitting over support for schools which see a large number of pupils receiving free meals.

Figures revealed just 18 per cent of pupils are currently receive free school meals - with the cost of doing so rising by 65 per cent in from 2012 to 2017. 

Mr Cretney believes free school meals are an essential 'safety net' for children, but the figures provided point to wider issues, showing the pressures too many Island families are living under. 

He says although wages for manual workers have not risen over the last eight years - fuel bills, rents, rates, and charges for services have been rising steadily.

He hopes the numbers are a 'wake-up call' to Tynwald and will encourage people to take action to address causes of poverty.