Sunderland’s Labour-led City Council has taken a major step forwards in its battle to tackle child poverty in the city.
At a meeting of cabinet members today, senior councillors agreed to approve and adopt the city’s first ever Child Poverty Strategy.
Child poverty in Sunderland is a major concern, with recent data indicating around one in three children live in low-income families after housing costs, significantly higher than the UK average, and many areas within Sunderland have child poverty rates near or above 40%.
The strategy however aims to set out a clear direction for how the council will work with partners and communities over the next three years to address child poverty – with an approach designed to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of children and their families across Sunderland.
Cllr Michael Butler, Southwick Ward councillor and cabinet member for children’s services, child poverty and skills, said: “Too many children in Sunderland continue to grow up in poverty, with lasting consequences that can severely impact their health, learning, and life chances.
“Tackling this is not just a local priority – it is a regional and national mission that requires leadership, partnership, and long-term commitment.
“This is why we strongly welcomed the UK Government’s decision in the Budget to scrap the two-child benefit cap – an intervention that will lift more than 50,000 children across the North East out of poverty. It is a major step that will provide immediate relief for families while signalling a serious commitment to driving lasting societal change for Britain.
“It is also fantastic to see the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, continuing to work with councils across the region to address the root causes of hardship. Real progress requires coordinated action at every level – local, regional, and national – and we are demonstrating how a Labour Council, with a Labour Mayor and a Labour Government can deliver that.
“By taking practical steps to support families in the here and now, while putting in place the building blocks for long-term change, this strategy will uplift thousands of people across the city. It will also bring together communities, schools, health partners, voluntary organisations, businesses, and Government to focus on prevention and early support, both of which will be key to driving real change.
“Our ambition is clear. We want to break the cycle of poverty and ensure Sunderland becomes a place where every child grows up healthy, secure, and able to achieve their full potential and this strategy will be key to ensuring that.”
The child poverty strategy draws together the work already happening in children’s services, public health, wellbeing, digital inclusion, and financial support, and builds on engagement with residents to understand the real challenges they face. Those challenges include access to childcare and transport; rising costs of food, clothing and energy, and getting the right support.
The strategy, which includes a Delivery Plan for 2025/26, sets out how the council will work with communities to address these issues and lays the foundation for new ideas, projects, and services that tackle the root causes of poverty through to 2028.
For more details and to read the full Child Poverty Strategy 2025–2028, click here.