Poverty in Bradford will cause racial tensions

In many ways, the people of Bradford are showing great resilience in the face of some of the worst levels of poverty in the country. But with the prediction that the situation will get worse before it gets better, the possibility of racial tensions rising is very real.

A recent research paper highlighted that more than 35,000 children in Bradford are growing up in poverty.

The Campaign to End Child Poverty, which has produced a map of the country’s poverty hotspots, has found a quarter of all Bradford children are in families surviving on less than 60 per cent of median household income – the legal measure of poverty – making it the second worst area across Yorkshire and the Humber. Bradford West has 11,768 young people in poverty (32 per cent) and Bradford East 7,379 (32 per cent) while there are 7,379 in Bradford South (27 per cent).

Tong and Little Horton are the worst areas with 39 per cent of children living in poverty, whereas Wharfedale has just three per cent.

All communities are affected by this poverty trap, and as we have seen in the past, Far Right groups such as the BNP and EDL feed off these levels of depravation to blame their sworn enemies – the Muslim communities - for society's ills.

We must support activists and leaders from all communities in Bradford who constantly reject the racial and religious demonisation. The focus for many campaigners such as 'Just West Yorkshire', is to tackle racism whilst looking for ways to get communities, particularly children, out of this poverty trap. Other campaigners are focusing on the national picture demanding solutions.

Alison Garnham, executive director of the campaign, said the map painted a stark picture of a socially-segregated Britain.

She said,

“The Prime Minister should make a New Year’s resolution to keep his pledge to ‘make British poverty history’ so children all over Britain can enjoy a childhood free from poverty.”

Simon Woolley