Poverty blights the lives and life chances of too many children in our city and is set to increase because of the damaging policies of this Government.

Today, the local Child Poverty Commission released a number of welcome recommendations. This very important report is right to say we must all pull together to tackle the problem.

Jobs and growth must be our top priority as a city. That’s why I am today holding the first meeting of a new Leicester West Business Forum to see what help local companies need to expand and thrive. I’ll also be hosting a Jobs and Opportunities Fair at the New Parks Community Centre on on Thursday 14th February, with help and advice for local residents on work, skills and training.

We must also do more to support families with very young children. The earliest years of life, from pregnancy to age 3, are crucial to child development and ensuring children are ready to learn when they start primary school.

Local NHS services like midwives and health visitors have a big role to play in supporting new parents, alongside Sure Start Children’s Centres. I will be working with the Council and our local NHS to see what more we can do to pool resources and pool efforts to ensure help gets to the parents who need it most.