RESIDENTS in Jaywick's Brooklands have told a United Nations official that the county's most deprived neighbourhood has been left behind by the Government's austerity politics.

Professor Philip Alston, the UN's Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, visited the village on Sunday as part of an investigation into poverty across the UK.

He met with residents at the Jaywick Resource Centre following an invitation from the Unite community branch. Mr Alston is looking into poverty across the Tendring district as part of his report.

The union said his visit to the area was "an astonishing indictment" of the Government.

Dan Casey, chairman of the meeting, said: "There were 12 speakers and they told Prof Alston about a range of issues, covering mental health, housing, benefits and Universal Credit.

"It was a great meeting and people could get their points across, including that they've been left behind by the Government's austerity politics.

"Prof Alston told them that poverty is a political choice in a wealthy country. His report will be hard-hitting and if he has something to say about this Government then he will say it."

But Tendring Council said the visit was an opportunity to promote its ongoing work to support Jaywick.

Council leader Neil Stock said: “I always enjoy talking about Jaywick as it is such a positive story to tell.

“While there are historical challenges in Jaywick which we are addressing now – and it will by no means be a short journey – the council working with the community is taking great strides to make Jaywick the jewel it can be.”

The council said it is building on the £6.5million Essex County Council roads scheme by constructing ten new starter homes to kick-start the introduction of high-quality housing.

Ian Davidson, Tendring Council's chief executive, added Prof Alston had been interested in how authorities had come together to address issues in Jaywick.

“Prof Alston’s mandate is to look at a wide range of issues, including potential causes of poverty such as welfare reform,” he said.

“The root cause of issues around deprivation stems back to poor quality homes and a shortage of housing post-Second World War, rather than anything more immediate.

“Tackling that, and surrounding issues, requires an approach much wider than we can do alone – but that is why we are working with partners at County Hall, in government, and crucially in the community, through the Coastal Community Team to look at a holistic, long-term approach to improving quality of life for Jaywick residents.”

Prof Alston, who is due to conclude his UK visit on Friday, said: "I heard from a church working to support people who fall through the safety net, met with the Tendring Council, and heard powerful testimony from people affected by poverty."

Clacton MP Giles Watling, who also met with Prof Alston, said Jaywick was “on the up”.