https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/child-poverty-hits-record-high

THE number of children living in poverty in Britain has reached a record high of almost 4.5 million, official figures revealed today.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed 4.45 million children in households with relative low income after housing costs in the year to March 2024, up from 4.33m the previous year — the highest since records began in 2002-03.

A household is considered in relative poverty if its income falls below 60 per cent of the median after housing costs.

The official figure comes a day after government estimates showed that its welfare cuts will push 50,000 more children below the poverty line by 2030.

And a Resolution Foundation analysis said a weak economic outlook and benefit cuts will disproportionately impact lower-income families, reducing the average income for the poorest half by £500 on average over the next five years.

The think tank also said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s welfare cuts amount to £8.1 billion — far exceeding the £4.8bn stated by the government.

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