The number of children living in poverty in the UK has reached a record high of almost 4.5 million according to figures from the Department for Work & Pensions.
Barnardo’s chief executive Lynn Perry said:
“Child poverty continues to rise and children continue to suffer. Today’s figures show nearly 4.5 million children are growing up in poverty. This number represents an increase of more than 120,000 children – more than the population of Cheltenham.
“This number is about to rise even further, with the government announcing welfare cuts which will plunge a further 50,000 children into poverty.
“Millions of children are living in homes where parents struggle to afford to keep the fridge stocked and the power on. It means they're tired at school, they're worried about where the next meal might come from and they're facing health impacts long into adulthood.
“This simply cannot continue – we call on the government to take urgent steps to reverse this horrifying trend and lift children out of poverty.”
Population data. ONS Census 2021.