Torbay deprivation highlighted in Commons as MP brands two-child limit ‘morally bankrupt’

Children at a Paignton school are turning up for classes cold, tired and hungry, according to the bay’s MP.

The primary school is providing the children with warm clothes and food because their parents can’t afford them.

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling said the plight of the Paignton children highlighted the deprivation of parts of his constituency.

He was speaking during a debate on Universal Credit, and a Bill to remove the two-child limit on claiming it. He said it was in his party’s DNA to be against the limit.

“Why should we decide as a society that, because a child is the third or fourth child, we value them less?” he said. “Such a belief seems morally bankrupt.”

He then moved on to talk about the Paignton school, saying: “The headteacher was taking on the incredible altruism of being a foster carer, so that if a child did need support, she would have the qualifications to step in and support the family in need.

“Having a chat with youngsters about what they like and do not like about living in their town is a special thing to do, whether as a councillor or a Member of Parliament. Usually, one hears about litter, the environment, graffiti, older kids swearing and so on.

“In Torquay, at Barton Hill Academy, what I found really disturbing was how the nine and 10-year-olds were talking about the cost of living crisis. They were worried about mum, who could not quite afford to put enough petrol in the car, and utility bills were worrying their parents.

“They told me they were not doing so many of the nice things they used to do a couple of years ago, because mum and dad said they could not afford it any more.”

Mr Darling said that on a recent visit to Torbay Hospital a senior director had told him that her role was not just about treating people but also tackling deprivation in Torbay.

“She comes across some patients who believe that a lifespan of up to around 60-something is adequate,” he said. “That reflects the levels of deprivation in my community, which lifting the two-child limit will help to tackle.

“It will lift 2,000 children out of poverty in Torbay.”