On the surface, Hertfordshire is a great place to grow up. However, the long dark shadow of deprivation & poverty is not far away, hidden from view and some might say brushed under the carpet. It is time to create a transparent fast lane to lift people out of poverty & deprivation.  According to a 2019 study, Dacorum was considered to be the 7^th highest area suffering from deprivation in the county. The data comes from the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), which is the official measure of relative deprivation in England.

Another Hertfordshire study revealed that children for many reasons do not achieve their full potential and who face a multitude of barriers in their lives. There is often a misconception that poverty & deprivation does not exist in Dacorum Borough & Hertfordshire.

The study goes on to highlight the huge inequalities across the County

• 33,880 (13.2%) children are living in low-income families in Hertfordshire.
• 27 wards in Hertfordshire have a level of child poverty equal to or above the UK average of 20.1 per cent.
• The highest percentage of child poverty at ward level is 32.6 per cent, compared with the lowest at just 1.2 per cent, showing the huge inequalities within Hertfordshire

The LibDems & Conservatives, at best, have made very little or no progress in this critical area of improving life chances.

In my opinion, these statistics will not have improved since the study as the pandemic will obvoiusly adversely impacted people in this demographic.

What would Labour do if elected In Tring, Dacorum & Hertfordshire Councils Elections on May 6?

1. Create a transparent fast lane for those in critical need.
2. Assign 1:1 support to build relationships with families, carers & relevant professionals.
3. Provide relevant quality education & study support.
4. Prioritise, through fast track, health & mental health services.
5. Provide coaching & mentoring support services to those in need.
6. Form close partnerships with charities & business.

Act Now Vote Labour. Vote for Jim Lawler, Labour

It is time that Hertfordshire brought some sunshine into the lives of those living in poverty & deprivation.