Charities warn of looming child poverty crisis

Government spending cuts could increase child poverty to crisis levels, a coalition of more than 100 leading charities warned as it published figures showing that in some areas up to two-thirds of children are already being raised by families living below the poverty line.

Across the UK that number is more like one in five , but the figure doubles in eight parliamentary constituencies and more than trebles in some areas. The Campaign to End Child Poverty said the findings are "deeply worrying" and that recent benefit cuts could make things worse.