(Image: submitted)
Political leaders have responded after Bradford has been named one of the hardest places for children to grow up.
The Children’s Commissioner’s new Childhood Lottery report highlights major challenges for young people and ranks Bradford among England’s three hardest places for childhood.
It ranked areas using nearly 100 measures, including health and social care, education, housing, safety, play and children’s say in community decisions.
The other areas in the bottom ten are Middlesbrough, Hounslow, Nottingham, Halton, Peterborough, Leicester, Liverpool, Sunderland and Medway.
MP responds - 'It is deeply concerning'
Robbie Moore, Conservatives MP for Keighley and Ilkley, said: "It is deeply concerning that Bradford has been named one of the hardest places for children to grow up in a new report by the Children’s Commissioner.
"Children growing up in Keighley and across the wider Bradford district deserve the chance to lead fulfilling, productive lives, and the Government must make sure they have the support and opportunities to do so.
"The challenges facing our district are complex and deeply interlinked, spanning child poverty, crime and anti-social behaviour, educational standards and youth unemployment.
MP Robbie Moore (Image: submitted)
"Overcoming them requires a sustained commitment to improving opportunities for all young people and ensuring that support reaches the communities that need it most.
"This report is a stark reminder of how much work there is still to do.
"I will continue to press the Government for practical measures that tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, raise educational standards and equip young people with the skills and pathways they need to secure meaningful work, rather than piling on taxes and layers of bureaucracy.
"Every child in Keighley deserves the chance to fulfil their potential, and I will keep holding the Government to account until they get it."
What the leader of Bradford Council had to say
Bradford Council leader Councillor Stephen Place said the report highlights wider social problems, not the performance of individual councils or services.
Cllr Place said: "The Children's Commissioner's report is not a judgement on specific councils or children's services.
"It highlights what we know about the wider challenges affecting children's lives, particularly around poverty and health inequalities.
"Bradford was disproportionately hit by austerity measures from 2010 through to 2024 and that will have had a significant impact on outcomes for children.
"This is why places like ours need sustained national investment.
"Improving outcomes for children is one of the main focuses of our District Strategy."
Cllr Place (Image: Reform UK)
What Reform UK are doing about it
He added: "We are already seeing positive signs of progress in Bradford.
"Ofsted has recognised improvements in children's services, and partners are working together through Family Hubs and other early help services to support children and families.
"We have some of the lowest NEET figures in the country for 16-18 year olds, our educational attainment rates are rising, and we have continued to invest in Youth Services.
"Our year as UK City of Culture 2025 saw many positive benefits for children and young people including improved community cohesion, access to training and jobs and engagement with culture and the arts.
"We also have ambitions to develop Youth Council and Youth Ambassador schemes in the coming year to improve representation and participate in local decision making.
"Council recently passed a motion to ensure no children or young people are left behind, encourage local business to support meaningful routes into employment for local school leavers and to ensure white working class children are effectively supported.
"The challenges are real, and we are making progress.
"Our young people have huge talent and ambition, and they deserve every chance to succeed.
"What this report really highlights is the need for change at national level to address systemic issues."
What the Prime Minister has said
Writing in The Times, Mr Burnham said the state must provide a “safety net” but there had to be a “fundamental change in the way the Government and society support young people”.
“We face a choice. We either invest in the success of our young people or pay for failure through the benefits system,” he said.
“We cannot afford to do both. I choose the first.”
By contrast, Calderdale ranked among the top 25 areas for children and young people and was one of only three northern areas on the list.
A Calderdale Council spokesperson said the ranking reflects years of joint work by schools, the NHS, charities and the wider community to improve children’s lives.
The T&A contacted all five of the Bradford district MPs for comment.