Child poverty in the East of England continues to rise
Figures show one in four children under-16 are in poverty in the East.
According to research by Loughborough University, 27% of under-16s were living in poverty after housing costs in the region last year.
That's up from 25% the previous year.
Charity Turn2Us explained the increase is partially due to rising rents over the last five years, and wages that don't reflect those increases.
Those who were once able to pay their housing costs have since had to turn to food banks and rely on free school meals.
The End Child Poverty coalition is calling on the Government to set out a plan to tackle the issue across the country.
Chief Executive of Turn2Us, Thomas Lawson, said: "In 2001, our government set a target to end child poverty by 2020, yet here we are reporting once again that it is rising.
"Low wages, soaring rents and the stubbornly high cost of living is pulling families into poverty and drying up the opportunities of so many young people across the country - particularly in the East of England.
"If the government truly believes in compassion and justice, ministers must first admit the problem then fully commit to solving it. We are urging the Prime Minister to listen to our recommendations and include them in a comprehensive strategy to end child poverty once and for all."
End Child Poverty's recommendations are as follows:
- Uprating of housing assistance in line with inflation.
- Retain the £20 uplift in Universal Credit introduced at the start of the pandemic, which the Government has indicated will end in April 2021.
- End the benefit cap and the two-child limit on benefits.
- Invest in all children with an increase to child benefit.
- Extend Free School Meals to all families in receipt of Universal Credit and those with No Recourse to Public Funds.
In 2018/19 under-16s living in poverty after housing costs reached 34.1% in Ipswich, 33.5% in Great Yarmouth, 32.1% in Norwich South, 29.2% in Waveney and 28.6% in Norwich North.
All of those areas recorded a rise compared to the previous year.
Clacton saw a fall of 1.3% to 34.8%, but remains over the national average of 30%.
The statistics are based on data from the Department for Work and Pensions and survey evidence from Loughborough University.
Greatest Hits Radio has contacted the Government for a response on the End Child Poverty's recommendations.