The Tower's Shadow

Beneath the Bright Lights: Unveiling Blackpool’s Harsh Reality of Poverty

October 26th, 2024

For generations, Blackpool’s illuminated promenade has drawn tourists from all over, promising seaside fun, vibrant nightlife, and cherished memories. Yet, beyond the famous lights and festive facade lies a different, much darker side to this seaside town – one defined by poverty, struggle, and stark deprivation. Many of Blackpool’s residents, especially its youngest, live with limited resources and limited hope for change.

Blackpool, with its world-famous tower, bustling promenade, and lively Blackpool Pleasure Beach may seem like the epitome of a fun-filled seaside town. However, what lies beneath the bright lights and tourist attractions is a startling truth – Blackpool has one of the highest rates of child poverty in the UK.

According to government statistics, over 38% of children in Blackpool live below the poverty line. This means that they are living in households that survive on incomes that are less than 60% of the national average. This staggering statistic is more than double the national average and places Blackpool as one of the worst-hit areas for child poverty in the country.

Digging deeper into these numbers reveals even more alarming realities. In some parts of Blackpool, such as Bloomfield and Victoria wards, almost half of all children are living in poverty. These areas also have some of the highest rates of unemployment and low-income families in the town.

Child poverty is not just an issue affecting a child’s access to material possessions; it has far-reaching consequences on their physical health, emotional well-being, education, and future opportunities. Children living in poverty are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses due to inadequate nutrition and living conditions. They often struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression due to high levels of stress and uncertainty about their future.

Growing up in poverty can also have a significant impact on a child’s education. With limited resources at home and a lack of access to extracurricular activities or educational opportunities outside school, children from low-income families often struggle academically. This can lead to lower aspirations for their future and limited job prospects as adults. Sadly, child poverty is not a new issue in Blackpool. For decades, it has plagued this seaside town, with little progress made in addressing it.

Children from low-income families often face significant challenges in their schooling. Illness, lack of resources, and the stress of financial hardship can all impact attendance and performance, making academic success a difficult goal. Without strong educational support, many of these children find breaking free from poverty to be an insurmountable challenge.

For some Blackpool families, putting food on the table or providing warm clothing is a daily struggle. Nutritious food is often out of reach, leading to malnutrition and other health complications, including childhood obesity. In fact, Blackpool has one of the country’s highest rates of childhood obesity – an unsettling testament to the sacrifices families make as they stretch their limited resources.

Once a thriving holiday destination for the hub of textile and manufacturing industries, Blackpool’s economy has struggled to keep pace in a world increasingly shaped by globalization and outsourcing. With these stable industries vanishing, many families were left without a reliable means of income, marking the beginning of Blackpool’s economic decline and rise in poverty.

Today, employment opportunities in Blackpool remain sparse, pushing many residents to rely on government benefits just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, these benefits often fall short, barely covering the essentials. Children raised in financially struggling households often grow up seeing little way out of their circumstances, trapped in a cycle of deprivation that is incredibly difficult to escape.

With limited funding, essential infrastructure and public services in Blackpool are overburdened and often underfunded. Schools, healthcare facilities, and community services struggle to provide adequate support for residents, further compounding the town’s difficulties.

In times of desperation, some residents turn to crime to survive, creating a challenging environment for the entire community. As poverty drives crime rates up, Blackpool faces not only a safety concern but also a negative reputation that casts a long shadow over its attempts to attract investment and new opportunities.

Solving Blackpool’s poverty crisis is no small feat, but it is achievable through targeted, united efforts.

Investing in local economic development and attracting new businesses is essential for creating job opportunities that provide stability and growth. By diversifying its economy, Blackpool can offer residents the stable employment they need to break free from poverty.

Expanding access to quality education is crucial in helping Blackpool’s youth overcome poverty. Initiatives like free school meals, improved educational resources, and mentoring programs can make a profound difference in equipping children with the tools they need for success.

Safe, affordable housing is foundational to overcoming poverty. Investing in social housing and enforcing fair rent controls will give Blackpool residents a stable, affordable base from which to rebuild their lives.

Addressing poverty isn’t just the responsibility of governments or institutions. Volunteers, local businesses, and residents all play a vital role. Through community engagement and support, Blackpool’s residents can help lift each other up, creating a culture of resilience and hope.

Though poverty in Blackpool remains deeply entrenched, change is within reach. Acknowledging and addressing the hidden struggles in this town can open doors to new opportunities and brighter futures. By coming together as a community to tackle these issues, Blackpool can become a town where the bright lights shine not only for tourists but also as a symbol of opportunity and hope for everyone who calls it home.

Investment has started, but many fear it is for tourism and those already employed within Government agencies, the new Civil Service Hub as an example. Many locals living on benefits and in-work benefit top-ups will not be able to access jobs here. Many do not have the qualifications to enter the civil service let alone pass the background checks. It is also highlighted that this hub is pulling civil service jobs from across the area, local and nationally, to one place.

The Multiversity plans, although seemingly a good idea, are focusing qualifications for the social care industry. This industry thrives on minimum wages and currently many employers offer exploitative zero hour contracts. Yet again another area that does not lift people out of poverty but keeps them firmly there, for generations to come.

Whatever the answer to these problems, Blackpool has a lot of work to do, new investment is a start, but Blackpool has survived hard times before and will hopefully grow and become a part of the future.
Behind The Lights -Blackpool’s Job Struggle for Over-50s

May 15th, 2024

The mention of Blackpool often conjures images of a lively resort town, brimming with amusement rides and vacationers. However, behind the bright lights and tourist attractions, lies a harsh reality for residents aged over 50 – the struggle to find a permanent job.

Statistics from the Office for National Statistics show that in the North West of England, the unemployment rate for those aged over 50 is significantly higher compared to the overall unemployment rate. In 2019, the unemployment rate for this age group in the North West was 3.7%, compared to the overall unemployment rate of 2.9%. This begs the question – why are Blackpool residents aged over 50 facing such difficulties in finding permanent employment?

One of the main reasons for this struggle is the rampant ageism that exists in the job market. Despite laws in place to prevent discrimination based on age, employers often find ways to bypass these laws and overlook older job seekers in favour of younger, supposedly more “desirable” candidates.

One way employers do this is by placing job advertisements with specific age requirements, such as “looking for a young and dynamic candidate” or “recent graduates preferred.” These seemingly harmless phrases automatically eliminate older job seekers from the pool of applicants, regardless of their qualifications and experience.

With the rise of technology and digitalisation has also added to the difficulties faced by this age group. Many older job seekers may not be as tech-savvy as their younger counterparts, making it challenging to compete in today’s job market, which heavily relies on digital skills. This creates a vicious cycle – older job seekers struggle to find employment due to lack of digital skills, but are unable to gain these skills without being employed.

Additionally, there is a common misconception that older workers are less productive and adaptable compared to younger workers. This stereotype often leads to employers hesitating to hire older job seekers, despite research showing that older workers are just as productive, if not more, than their younger counterparts. This bias is not only detrimental to older job seekers but also to the economy as a whole, as it limits the potential and contribution of a significant portion of the workforce.

The difficult reality for older job seekers in Blackpool is further exacerbated by the decline of traditional industries in the area, such as manufacturing and tourism. These industries have historically provided employment opportunities for older workers, but with their decline, the job market has become even more challenging for this age group.

In light of these challenges, one may wonder – what can be done to improve the employment situation for Blackpool residents aged over 50? Firstly, there needs to be a shift in societal attitudes towards older workers. Older job seekers should be seen as valuable and experienced assets to the workforce, rather than a burden or liability. This change in mindset can lead to more inclusive hiring practices and fairer treatment of older job seekers in the job market.

Additionally, there needs to be more support and resources available for older job seekers to acquire and update their skills, particularly in the digital realm. This could include government-funded training programs or partnerships between businesses and educational institutions to provide skills development opportunities for older workers.

Employers also have a crucial role to play in addressing the issue of ageism in the job market. They should actively seek out and consider older job seekers for their open positions, rather than automatically favouring younger candidates. Age should not be a determining factor in a candidate’s suitability for a job; their qualifications, skills, and experience should be the main criteria.

Furthermore, there should be stricter enforcement of age discrimination laws to prevent employers from finding ways to bypass them. This could include increased penalties for companies found guilty of age discrimination or regular monitoring and reporting of companies’ hiring practices.As retirement age is moving upwards, people are working longer, government changes already have retirement age for Gen X at 67, soon to continue moving towards 70.

In conclusion, Blackpool residents aged over 50 face significant challenges in finding permanent employment due to ageism and other factors specific to the area. The reality of being overlooked in the job market has severe consequences not only for the individuals but also for the economy. It is imperative that society, employers, and the government take action to address these issues and create a more inclusive and fair job market for all age groups. After all, age should not determine one’s worth or ability to contribute to the workforce.

Beneath the Bright Lights: Unveiling Blackpool’s Harsh Reality of Poverty

Behind The Lights -Blackpool’s Job Struggle for Over-50s