A local Darlaston young mother said “we are almost completely unable to support ourselves and our children – we are getting sick with anxiety, drowning in financial doom and debt”.

Across Walsall as economic stress pushes up the price of food, energy and fuel, more and more families are making difficult decisions on how to spend their money. Many families and children are close to the edge. Too many local children are falling deeper into poverty. All local.children should be entitled to the same life chances. Sadly, this is not the case and crisis measures are a priority over early interventions..

The combination of increasing inflation, more people living in lower paid jobs, or unable to work, in receipt of welfare support are facing stress and debt.

Local families find it difficult to absorb new shocks on costs. Children need enough money and security of income to meet their basic needs such as healthy food to eat and warm homes or, indirect costs rise even further, such as health or mental health breakdown.

With a £6million overspend on children services and service waiting lists on the increase Walsall Council is under increasing pressure to deliver improved services for local children in deep poverty.

Child poverty in Walsall is rising. The scale and severity of deprivation is now unprecedented. There must be pressure brought to bear on ministers and government to tackle child poverty in our most disadvantage local communities.

Doug James, Walsall