By Victoria Brenan

Last updated at 15:03, Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Child poverty and salary inequality will be the two key themes of a seminar at the University of Cumbria next month.

The Centre for Regional Economic Development (CRED), part of the university’s business school, will introduce its 2012-13 seminar series ‘Inequality: the enemy between us’ presented by Bill Kerry, co-director of the Equality Trust.

CRED research director Frank Peck said their seminars, supported by housing association Riverside, would focus on the impact of national issues at a local level.

“The themes reflect vital socio-economic issues affecting Carlisle and the county of Cumbria including incomes and equality, the future of care, community ownership, renewable energy, business enterprise, ageing and digital inclusion,” he said.

It comes after a recent Save the Children report estimated that 3.5 million children in the UK live below the poverty line.

The report showed one in five children in Cumbria live in families where there is an income of less than £12 per week after housing costs are paid. In the Carlisle parliamentary area, 20 per cent of children were reported as living in homes below the poverty line, the same as in Barrow and Furness.

Copeland was next with 18 per cent, followed by Workington with 17.

The Carlisle representative of the Equality Trust, Martyn Dyer-Smith, said “It will also address issues of central concern to the co-hosts of this event, Carlisle One World Centre, as part of their Equality Year.”

The seminar on October 11 will be held in the University of Cumbria’s Learning Gateway, Fusehill Street campus in Carlisle. Refreshments available from 6.15pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information about this event email Keith Jackson on keith.jackson@cumbria.co.uk or telephone 01228 616211.

First published at 11:30, Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk