CHILDREN in some areas of Bolton risk being ‘locked into disadvantage for generations’, with where they grow up determining how much they will earn and how likely they are to turn to crime.

That’s the stark warning from the Social Mobility Commission, who have told of a ‘deep unfairness’ experienced by children in areas side-by-side in the borough.

According to End Child Poverty, in Runworth 54 per cent of children live in poverty, while in Horwich and Blackrod this figure stands at 15 per cent.

Bolton’s Public Health Annual Report also examines the life chances of children who had adverse childhood experiences such as parental separation, domestic violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse and living with anyone who experienced mental illness alcohol abuse, drug abuse or incarceration.

Speaking at the latest Bolton Council cabinet meeting, where the report was introduced, councillor Nick Peel, said: “It is quite shocking to see something in black and white that we’ve been told for years about the life chances of children who have experienced what we call adverse childhood experience. In layman’s terms, being mistreated and abused while they are children.

“They are far more likely to be involved in violence, criminal activity and far more likely to be incarcerated and far more likely to be on heroin and crack.

“We need this raw data to drive an argument that we can prove that early intervention can actually save a child from going down hill.”

The Social Mobility Commission report states that individuals aged 28 from disadvantaged families in Bolton earn on average just over half the amount of those from similar backgrounds in the most mobile areas.

Interim co-chair of the Social Mobility Commission, Steven Cooper said: “This tells a story of deep unfairness, determined by where you grow up.

“It is not a story of north versus south or urban versus rural; this is a story of local areas side by side with vastly different outcomes for the disadvantaged children growing up there.”

Figures show 20 per cent of children living in the borough are in poverty, significantly worse than that seen in the North West region but similar to Greater Manchester as a whole.

The public health report identifies targets in the next 12 months which includes undertaking an adverse childhood experiences prevalence study which shall present us with an accurate picture and understanding across Bolton, ensuring we can address these underpinning issues with most effective evidence, informed approaches’.

The percentage of children living in poverty in each ward in Bolton, according to End Child Poverty

Astley Bridge 21.0%

Rumworth 54.6%

Halliwell 48.8%

Horwich North East 17.7%

Horwich and Blackrod 15.2%

Crompton 40.9%

Westhoughton North and Chew Moor 15.7%

Bradshaw 19.3%

Tonge with the Haulgh 32.1%

Hulton 27.8%

Farnworth 39.7%

Bromley Cross 19.0%

Little Lever and Darcy Lever 23.0%

Heaton and Lostock 22.2%

Breightmet 33.8%

Great Lever 48.3%

Harper Green 42.1%

Westhoughton South 19.4%

Kearsley 24.6%

Smithills 25.2%