Rise in number of deprived children as inflation erodes incomes – report

There has been an increase in the number of children being deprived of basic essentials because of inflation, a report has said.

About 230,000 children suffered from material deprivation in 2023, an increase of 30,000 children compared with 2022.

Material deprivation tracks the number of people in households unable to afford two or more items from a list of ten essentials.

Although rates of child poverty have fallen slightly on a before-housing-costs basis, they have increased from 20% in 2020 to 22% in 2023 if housing costs are excluded.

The research also found there was a 3% decline, adjusted for inflation, in the average disposable income of households with children.

Dr Barra Roantree, a co-author of the report, said a two-tier child benefit system may need to be considered.

He said: “The findings in this report suggest additional policy measures, such as a second tier of child benefit targeted at low-income families, may need to be considered if Government commitments to…