Health inequalities across Salford are being made worse because some 6,400 of the city’s residents cannot speak English well ‘or at all’ coupled with ‘digital deprivation’. That’s according to two Labour councillors who spoke out at Salford’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel.
Labour members Coun James Dawson and Yolande Amana-Ghola were speaking following the presentation of a report titled ‘Tackling Inequalities: The Salford Way’ by policy officer Shaira Bowes. In it she said that Salford’s population had increased by 36,000 (15.4 per cent) in the last 10 years - the biggest rise in the north - and included 21,000 more 18 to 39-year-olds.
Meanwhile, ethnic diversity is also increasing with the number of residents identifying as Black or Black British: African going up from 5,400 to 13,400 - a 151pc increase. ‘Other White’ rose by a similar number from 10,300 to 18,900 (plus 83pc).
More Salford residents said they were Muslim than Jewish in 2021, but the biggest rise was in ‘No Religion’ from 22pc to 36pc - up 44,000. But 6,400 residents cannot speak English well, or at all, said Ms Bowes.
Coin Dawson told the meeting: “What worries me [that people can’t speak English] are the group of people above school age.
“We know children will learn it much more easily at school and from each other, but for the elderly, it’s much harder for them to pick up a new language. 6,400 is a lot of people. If they can’t speak English everything esle follows. It means they can’t access important services.
“Are we seting up special classes in our communities so they don’t feel left out.”
Coun Amana-Ghola added: “What worries me, as well as the language barrier, is the lack of access to digital technology.” She called for ‘digital inclusion’ in the city.
However, Ms Bowes poitned out that there was ‘a fantastic digital inclusion team’ in the city. Her report went on to say: “Salford has become a leader in Greater Manchester for our pioneering approach to addressing poverty in the city.
“Building on this success, we have updated our award-winning Tackling Poverty Strategy to continue to transform the way we do things in Salford; ensuring those with the greatest need are at the heart of everything we do in the city as we recover from the impact of the pandemic.
“Our vision is to make Salford a fairer and more inclusive place where everyone can reach their full potential and live prosperous and fulfilling lives free from poverty and inequality.”
Ms Bowes report said that there were now 98 accredited Living Wage Employers across the city and that the city was providing digital skills advice and support for more than 26,000 residents.
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