New figures reveal more than 600,000 people 'live in poverty' in Greater Manchester

More than 600,000 people in Greater Manchester are living in poverty despite the region's economic growth, according to new research.

Greater Manchester is the UK's third largest English city-region economy outside London but still has 620,000 people living in poverty, including 180,000 children, according to the report from the independent charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and The University of Manchester.

Professor Ruth Lupton, lead author of the report and head of the Inclusive Growth Analysis Unit, said: "That levels of poverty and inequality remain so high in Greater Manchester is unjust and a waste of too many people's talents and energies. We urgently need to find ways to include more people in the benefits of increased prosperity"

Mike Hawking, partnership manager for cities at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: "The next mayor of Greater Manchester will have a key role to play in ensuring everyone benefits from economic growth, especially people and places who have traditionally been left behind.

"Manchester's growth has been remarkable and there are encouraging signs this success will continue, but the challenge will be sharing the proceeds of economic growth. Tackling poverty will ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the region's success, not least for business whose biggest challenge is to boost productivity."