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.

READ MORE: Oxford University staff member in charge of immigration ran for Reform

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

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.

Councillor Linda Smith. (Image: Contribution.)

“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.