Crime & Safety
Oxford has highest percentage of children in poverty in UK
It comes as new data reveals under half a million children living in poverty in the UK are in households where there is at least one person working full-time.
The data, by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), shows failures in the system rather than on the part of individual families.
The IPPR analysed official figures published by the Government earlier this year and found around 460,000 children were living in poverty in 2024/25 despite being in full-time working households, either in a two-parent or single parent household.
Data released in March revealed almost one in four children are living in poverty across the south East.
For the first time, the UK Government produced child poverty figures, after housing costs, for every constituency and local authority across the UK.
The new data showed that 23 per cent of children in the south east is living in poverty, based on figures from 2024/25. Across the UK, this figure stands at 27 per cent.
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Linda Smith, city council cabinet member for housing and communities, said: “Data shows that 22.9 per cent of children in Oxford are living in poverty.
“Many of these children will be living in households where their parents are working, but a combination of low wages and high housing costs mean that the family cannot afford essentials and are held back from full participation in our community.
“That’s why the number one priority for Labour at the city council is affordable housing, we’re investing in our council owned homes and building hundreds of new homes for social rent and shared ownership to help families escape the expense and insecurity of the private rented sector.
“We also run the Oxford Living Wage Scheme which now benefits 30,000 workers in the city.”
Oxford has the highest percentage of children living in poverty, based on local authority, at 22.9 per cent.
Oxford East has the highest percentage of children living in poverty, based on Oxfordshire parliamentary constituencies at 26.1 per cent.
The councillor for Blackbird Ley added: “The city council takes targeted action to prevent and reduce child poverty.
“We’re implementing the extensive recommendations of the Child Poverty Review Group, a scrutiny group established to tackle the root causes.
“The council actively partners with voluntary groups to support community larders, food banks, and fridges.
“There is also support for low income families provided through our council tax relief scheme and support grants administered through our network of council funded advice centres and locality managers.”
Oxfordshire County Council has revealed its ‘Best Start in Life’ plan, involving children from pregnancy to five years old.
The plan outlines the Government’s overall ambition for improving child development.
The Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team were seen performing as part of the inaugural Great British Farm-Fest.
The team delivered their parachute display on Saturday May 23, showing their acrobatic moves to the reported 20,000 people in attendance on the day.
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Officer Commanding RAF Falcons Flt Lt Dom Compton-Davies said: “We were delighted to be part of the Great British Farm-Fest and to bring our display to a new audience.
“Events like this provide a fantastic opportunity for the team to engage with communities, inspire future generations and showcase the professionalism of the Royal Air Force.”
Based and trained at Brize Norton, the Falcons are known for their precision, teamwork, and professionalism in delivering high-impact parachute displays.
They also serve as ambassadors for the RAF, inspiring young people and engaging with communities at public events.
For one young spectator, who got to meet the team after their display, it was a particularly meaningful event as his grandfather had served as a Parachute Jumo Instructor at RAF Brize Norton.
The festival was led by former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson, who lives in Oxfordshire where his hit series Clarkson’s Farm is filmed.
The event had been promoted as a celebration of farmers’ skills and produce, mixing “the traditional joy of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival”.
However, the reception to it has been mixed with a select few traders leaving early while “struggling to hold back tears”, branding it “catastrophic” and a “shambles”.
However, others defended Mr Clarkson and Farm Fest.
In a statement, organisers said: “We have been working closely with traders at The Great British Farm-Fest to provide support during our inaugural weekend.
“We are surprised that a handful of exhibitors, out of the 400 who attended, left the show within a few hours of the first day without experiencing an event that has attracted over 50,000 visitors.”
The entertainment on Sunday included Alex James from Blur and 10cc, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor also performing in the days before.
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The RAF Falcons can next be seen at the Midlands Air Festival this coming weekend (29 to 31 May) as part of a wide-ranging schedule this summer.
The team kicked off their 2026 display season with a launch event at their home base, RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
They performed a live parachute display from a C17 Globemaster in front of an audience that included children from local schools, invited guests, and members of the station’s whole force.
Police units and a forensic team were seen late on the morning of the Wednesday, May 27, as well as a car being carried away by a truck, but much of the shut section of the A40 was empty.
The closure in east Oxford occurred from 3am westbound between the Headington roundabout with the A420 and Eastern Bypass Road, and the junction with the B4150 next to Oxford City Football Club.
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As of 1pm, it remained closed although forensics appeared to have left the scene and the cycle path next to it is open.
Meanwhile Thames Valley Police confirmed a man in his 20s died following reports of a fear for welfare incident, which occurred shortly after 2.45am.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called at around 2.45am this morning (May 27) following reports of a fear for welfare on the A40, near to Headington.
“Emergency services attended but sadly a man aged in his 20s was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
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“His family have been informed and are being supported.”
As a result of the road closure, drivers have been reporting long delays and congestion backed up to the Headington Roundabout and further along the A40 London Road.
Oxfordshire County Council has been approached on whether the Marston Ferry Road congestion charge point may be suspended while the A40 westbound and Marsh Lane access remains closed.
The move is part of the council’s wider plans to improve office space across the county and support more flexible ways of working.
Midland House in Botley has been chosen as a temporary base while longer-term changes take place, including plans to turn County Hall into a hotel and open a new, permanent office at Speedwell House in spring 2028.
Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for finance, property and transformation, said: “We are looking forward in coming times to seeing Speedwell House taking shape as a new net zero office in 2028 as well as watching County Hall change and then thrive in its new guise as a hotel.
“The sale of County Hall is providing the funding for the renewal of Speedwell House.”
He said the closure of County Hall is expected in late 2026, with the nearby Midland House, located on West Way, offering ‘practical, well-equipped’ office space.
Mr Levy said: “Our existing offices throughout the county will provide bases for our teams and these will now be supplemented by the excellent and ideally located Midland House.
“These are solid plans from which our officers can continue to provide excellent services to the people of Oxfordshire.”
Midland House’s transport links, including proximity to Seacourt Park and Ride, contributed to its selection as a temporary office location.
Contracts for the sale of County Hall were exchanged in late 2025, with L&G commissioning developers Reef Origin for the site’s redevelopment.
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