The latest figures on child poverty in south east London and Dartford have been revealed as the UK deals with the aftermath of Covid and the cost of living crisis.

Save the Children UK said the latest figures are grim and prove families are "still very much in the depths of a crisis” as inflation increases.

Across the UK, 2.47 million children (20.1 per cent) were in relative poverty and 1.89 million children (15.3 per cent) were in absolute poverty during the year ending April 2022.

We have gathered the figures from the different boroughs across south east London and Dartford and have noted that each borough has improved on its previous in 2020-21 figures.

The lastest 2022 figures show that Greenwich is home to the most children who are in relative poverty at 18.9 per cent, but this is still less than the national average of 20.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Bromley had the least amount of children in relative poverty at 9.5 per cent of children in the borough.

Here are the boroughs stats and some insight into the figures broken down.

 

A fifth of children in Greenwich are living in relative poverty according to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions figures.

11,155 children (18 per cent) in Greenwich were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

Of these children, 8,964 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60% of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (15.2 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, figures were down from 19.9 per cent of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 but up from 16.6 per cent seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

Matt Morrow, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: "It's shocking that in modern Britain so many children still live in families who are finding it hard to make ends meet. It has an impact on children’s prospects educationally and developmentally; it affects their short and long-term health and wellbeing and their quality of life. One child in poverty is one too many.

"As a Council, we're actively fighting poverty on all fronts through Greenwich Supports, providing a range of advice and help to families regarding money and the cost of living crisis, including those with very young children and care leavers. Using the household support fund, we direct financial support to those we believe need it most, including urgent cash support when needed.

"Through our own funding we have provided free holiday meals outside of term time for several years, offering hundreds of nutritious lunches every day in the school holidays.

“Along with our successful Holiday Food and Fun programme, this gives families a wide variety of free activities outside of school. "We also provide a wide range of support through our network of over 20 children’s centres, the Greenwich Local Labour & Business (GLLaB) service and the Live Well Greenwich programme, ensuring families with young children can access all the services and advice they need.

“While we are exhausting every option we have at a local level, we have urged the Government to ensure that all families are protected from poverty.

“The Mayor of London has committed funding for free school meals are provided to primary school pupils for 2023/24 in London.

“We continue to call for the expansion of free school meals nationally - and beyond 2024.

“This would guarantee millions more young people get access to a healthy, filling meal and reduce the stigma that has historically accompanied free meals.”

 

One in 10 children in Bromley are living in relative poverty according to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions figures.

6,135 children (9.5 per cent) in Bromley were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

Of these children, 4,933 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60 per cent of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (7.6 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was down from 10.7 per cent of children who were living in poverty and down from 9.7 per cent seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

A Bromley council spokesperson said: “Whilst we are obviously pleased to see it confirmed that Bromley measures up quite well compared to elsewhere, we also remain extremely keen and alert to ensure that nobody locally gets left behind.

“With that in mind Bromley Council has a range of help for children and families including an Early Intervention and Family Support Service that supports a high number of families in the borough within services.

“We have six family hubs across the borough which each provide support to families in need. There are also one-stop-shops in each centre offering access to free children’s clothing, where required.

“More information is available on our website at Bromley Children Project – London Borough of Bromley “In addition, there is also extra advice on our website about a wide range of support mechanisms. This information signposts those who need extra help to support services available to them. Visit https://www.bromley.gov.uk/community-advice”

 

One in seven children in Dartford are living in relative poverty according to Department for Work and Pensions figures.

3,974 children (15.3 per cent) in Dartford were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

Of these children, 2,916 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60% of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (11.2 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was down from 15.9% of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 but up from 11.6% seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

A spokesperson for Dartford Council said: “The Council is supporting families and individuals who are struggling, further information and advice is available at https://www.dartford.gov.uk/support-advice-2/cost-living-support”

One in eight children (13.2 per cent) in Bexley are living in relative poverty to Department for Work and Pensions figures.

Of these children, 5,355 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60 per cent of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (10.6 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was down from 14.4 per cent of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 but up from 12.2 per cent seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

A spokesperson for Bexley Council said: “Child poverty is a cause of concern, even in a borough like Bexley.

“We are working to provide services that support as many families as possible out of poverty and to prevent them experiencing poverty in the first place.

“For example - We are distributing funds from the Household Support Grant to families who need additional support and we also have a council tax reduction scheme.

“We provide free school meals and free activities for children in the school holidays.

“Our support to children and young people and their families is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and we have maintained this despite increasing demand following the pandemic.

“We work with the charity and voluntary sector to join up services. Residents can access cost of living information on our website to make sure they are accessing all the help that is available - www.bexley.gov.uk/cost-of-living.”

 

One in six children in Lewisham are living in relative poverty according to Department for Work and Pensions figures.

9,692 children (16.8 per cent) in Lewisham were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

Of these children, 7,636 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60 per cent of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (13 per cent) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was down from 17.6 per cent of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 but up from 15 per cent seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

The charity Action for Children accused ministers of knowing what works, given the action taken during the pandemic, but “choosing not to do it”, and said help has been “snatched away” from families.

 

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “It’s astonishing that, despite the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and the prospect of rising child poverty for years to come, the Government is not targeting help for children in low-income families.

“There is so much more this Government can do in these tough times to stop those with the least from suffering the most,” he added.

A Government spokesperson said they are “committed to eradicating poverty and supporting those in need, and our actions have helped ensure there are nearly two million fewer people in absolute poverty than there were in 2009-10”.

They said the latest figures “reflect the country coming out of the pandemic and accompanying rising prices” and that record levels of support have been provided through cost-of-living payments, the Household Support Fund and the Energy Price Guarantee which “will continue to hold down people’s energy bills”.