Almost one in four children living in poverty in Oxford

For the first time, the UK government has produced child poverty figures, after housing costs, for every constituency and local authority across the UK.

However, as the data is produced retrospectively, the impact of the Government’s ‘Tackling Child Poverty Strategy’ cannot be seen in the figures.

This new data shows 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.

This could mean families using food banks to feed their children, using baby banks so their children don’t go without essentials like clothes and nappies, or living in cold or unsafe housing.

Oxford has the highest percentage of children living in poverty, based on local authority, at 22.9 per cent.

Percentage of children living in poverty in 2024/25 in Oxfordshire local authorities (Image: Newsquest)

Oxford East has the highest percentage of children living in poverty, based on Oxfordshire parliamentary constituencies at 26.1 per cent.

Percentage of children living in poverty in 2024/25 in Oxfordshire parliamentary constituencies (Image: Newsquest)

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The End Child Poverty Coalition urges the government to implement “sustained, long-term commitment” and investment to reduce child poverty levels.

Sophie Livingstone, chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition and CEO of Little Village baby banks, said: “No child should have to experience poverty.

“So many parents are under such strain because the system isn’t working for them.

“Childhood should be a time of safety and opportunity, not filled with worry about where the next meal will come from.”