One in five children are living in poverty in Calderdale, figures show.

That’s around 10,050 children and the council is looking at what it can to do help.

Today Cabinet members are expected to back a Child and Family Poverty Strategy which aims to support families through tough times.

It will help identifying long-term measures to reduce the numbers of children born or living in poverty.

Clr Tim Swift, leader of the authority, said: “It’s unacceptable that over 10,000 of our children are growing up in poverty.

“The consequences to children can be life-long, including lower achievement at school, suffering greater ill-health and a higher chance of unemployment.

“We must break this cycle.”

A household is defined as being in poverty if the household income, including benefits received, is less than 60% of the median – or average – household income, which is £31,600.

The project will see the council and NHS work with families affected by welfare reform; with young people to prevent drug and alcohol dependency and pregnancy and to bring together services which provide advice on housing and homelessness and offer debt advice.

Under the proposals the Citizens’ Advice Bureau would receive £25,000 per year for two years to act as an advice service as demand from vulnerable groups is expected to significantly increase.

A further £8,000 would be allocated for research into how families are dealing with the changes to the benefits system.

A new £100,000 fund would be available for organisations which run advice services, including those affected by the changeover from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments, and the introduction of Universal Credit.

Bids from advice agencies for up to £25,000 from the fund would be invited.

“Child poverty in Calderdale is an issue for all of us,” Clr Swift added. “It leads to long-term costs for the whole of society, and it results in hundreds of children missing out on the chance to achieve their potential in life.

“We believe that reducing child poverty should be a priority for the whole community. Now we need to demonstrate how we can take a lead in developing practical measures that will make a real difference.”