Poverty & Inequalities Profile - Falkirk 2010 - Falkirk Council

Children & Young People
Poverty & Inequalities Profile
Falkirk 2009
Table 25: Children & Young People Falkirk Average Scottish Average
Birth
Low weight live singleton birth rate per 1000 live singleton births 23.31 24.13
% of children breastfeeding at the First Visit review 35.50% 44.90%
% of children exclusively breastfeeding at the First Visit review 30.10% 36.90%
% of first time mothers aged 16 and under 2005-07 9.60% 7.80%
% first time mothers aged 19 and under 2005-2007 13.90% 14.20%
% of mothers smoking at booking 2005-2007 22.90% 20.80%
Low Income Families
% of Children Living in a low income household (GROS 2007/08) 43% 45%
% of children living in out of work households 16.9% 18.5%
Table 25 above provides information on children and young people in Falkirk. The early years of a child has a
significant effect on their future. In Falkirk, we have a higher rate of smoking during pregnancy, and a higher rate of
teenage mothers under the age of 16 than the Scottish average. Further to this we have considerably lower rates of
breastfeeding than the Scottish average.
In 2007/08, Falkirk has 15,330 (43%) children living in low income households; this is 2% lower than the Scottish rate.
Table 26: Free School Meals and Clothing Grants
Secondary Schools
Free School Footwear/Clothing
School Name meals (2009) Grant (2007/08)
Bo'ness Academy 14% 22%
Braes High 11% 17%
Denny High 14% 23%
Falkirk High 17% 25%
Graeme High 14% 22%
Grangemouth High 15% 29%
Larbert High 8% 15%
St Mungo's High 9% 20%
Source: Falkirk Council Education Services
Table 27: Child Tax Credits & Working Tax Credits
Falkirk Scotland
Children in families receiving Tax
Credits 24,865 800,200
In Work 79% 76%
Out of Work 21% 24%
% of In Work - Lone Parent 25% 21%
% of Out of Work - Lone Parent 75% 77%
% of In Work receiving WTC 34% 38%
Source: DWP
Table 26 provides information on free school meals
and clothing grants in the Falkirk area.
Parents/Guardians can apply for free school meals
and/or footwear and clothing grants for their
children provided they are in receipt of child benefit,
and either Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance
(Income Based) or in some cases Child Tax Credit
(depending on annual income).
Comparing the proportion of each school roll that is
in receipt of these awards can provide an indication
of deprivation and potential exclusion.
Table 27 shows the number of children living in
households in receipt of Child Tax Credits and
Working Tax Credits. Child Tax Credits are paid to
most people for having 1 or more children.
Working Tax Credits are a top up for those on low
incomes.
The percentage of in work families in receipt of Tax
Credits is higher than the Scottish average; this is
evidence of lower wages in the area. 75% of out of
work recipients are lone parents.