A leading Labour politician has blasted the ‘unforgivable’ treatment of children and young people by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government.

Cllr Emma Hirst, who represents Old Trafford ward, was speaking to the council’s refreshed Corporate Plan report during the meeting of Full Council on Wednesday.

She explained that by 2010, the year the Tories and Lib Dems agreed to share power, she had been fostering for seven years.

“The children who came to live with me were vulnerable and in need, but the effects of Surestart and investment in education were clear – and there were numerous services to support them, and me as their carer,” she said.

“A couple of years into the coalition government, my children would arrive with multiple complex needs.

“They would not be school ready, their diets were deficient, they fell through the healthcare net and the issues at home were taking much longer to be picked up as youth services were cut to the bone.

“Caring for my children became overwhelming, and the government did not care about them.”

This resulted in one in every third child living in absolute poverty in Old Trafford – and that is before you take housing costs into consideration, Cllr Hirst argued.

She said child poverty statistics in the ward she represents are amongst the worst in the country – and in a wealthy borough where the Tories would have people believe the families of privately educated children are the ones suffering most.

“This Labour council has listened to people living in poverty, and despite huge financial pressures, continues to prioritise children,” she added.

“We are renowned for our state education – and our own Seymour Park primary is a shining example.

“Our Corporate Plan recognises the importance of our schools, but also goes much further – Trafford is strengthening its early years offer, investing in family hubs, and I am very pleased to see that children with disabilities and children in care have been highlighted as being core to our plan.

“The Tories have left children’s services in a disgraceful state. There are no easy fixes, and our new Labour government is rightly cautious in its ambitions – 14 years of destruction will take time to repair.

“I, like many of us, am looking forward to the financial growth that will allow policy change to improve all our children’s lives. But in the meantime, I know that children are the priority to Trafford, and Labour will always prioritise them.”

To read more on how the council’s poverty strategy is making a positive difference click here and to learn about the refreshed Corporate Plan click here.