CHILD poverty for every local authority in the North East is higher than the UK average.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation published a report on January 23 which found one in four people in the North East are living in poverty, with the child poverty rate for every local authority in the region higher than the UK average.

It was highest for children from 0-4 years old at 31 per cent.

The North East has a poverty rate of 25 per cent, matching that of London.

The report found: "Between 2019/20 and 2021/22, the West Midlands had the highest rate of poverty at 27 per cent, followed by the North East and London (both 25 per cent), Yorkshire and The Humber, the East Midlands and the North West (all 23 per cent).

"These variations are driven by differences in labour markets, housing markets and rates of benefit receipt, alongside wider demographic factors of the population in each nation or region.

"The greater reliance on renting and the higher costs of housing are a substantial driver in larger cities in particular (including London), while lower rates of employment, fewer employment opportunities and a greater concentration of employment in lower-paid roles, are bigger drivers in many post-industrial and coastal areas (including the West Midlands and the North East of England)."

Joe Morris, the Labour candidate for the Hexham constituency, said: “These statistics are shocking but not surprising. Under a Labour government, we will be focused on improving the lives of every child in the UK, fighting climate change and mitigating the cost of living crisis.”

A spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We are continuing to support families with the cost of living backed by £104 billion – and there are 1.7 million fewer people living in absolute poverty, including 400,000 children, compared to 2010.

"Children are five times less likely to experience poverty living in a household where all adults work, compared to those in workless households. That’s why we are investing billions breaking down barriers to work and supporting over one million low-income earners through our In Work Progression offer – all while cutting taxes and curbing inflation so hard-working people have more money in their pocket."

Hexham MP Guy Opperman was contacted for comment.