Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what are the rates of child poverty in (1) England, (2) Wales, (3) Scotland, and (4) Northern Ireland.

Relative low income after housing costs is the government’s headline measure of poverty. Based on a three-year average for 2021/22 to 2023/24, 31 per cent of children in England, 31 per cent of children in Wales, 23 per cent of children in Scotland, and 24 per cent of children in Northern Ireland were in relative low income after housing costs.

Further statistics on the number of children living in absolute and relative poverty in the UK are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication, the latest available being: Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2024 - GOV.UK.

This government is committed to tackling child poverty and the Child Poverty Taskforce is developing an ambitious Child Poverty Strategy which we will publish in the autumn. We are considering all available levers as part of our strategy, including social security reforms, to give every child the best start in life. The causes of child poverty are wide-ranging and deep-rooted, and so it is right that the Taskforce carefully considers and assesses the available levers as it develops this Strategy.

In the meantime, we are pressing ahead with action.

As a significant downpayment ahead of strategy publication, we have already taken substantive action across major drivers of child poverty through the Spending Review 2025. The government will provide £410 million per year by 2028-29 to expand Free School Meals eligibility to all pupils in England with a parent receiving Universal Credit. The government will also provide £80 million per year by 2028-29 for early years and post-16 settings to support this expansion. This expansion will lift 100,000 children out of poverty by the end of the parliament. We are also establishing a long-term Crisis and Resilience Fund supported by £1bn a year, including £158 million to the devolved governments, investing in local family support services and extending the £3 bus fare cap.

In August, we confirmed funding of £600m for the Holiday Activities and Food programme for the next three years, ensuring that children and young people in England can continue to benefit from enriching experiences and nutritious meals during the school holidays.