More than 14,000 children in Luton are living in poverty, new research revealed today (February 20).
In Luton South, 28 per cent of children live below the poverty line, and in Luton North the figure is 25 per cent – compared to a national average of 20 per cent.
Research from the End Child Poverty campaign found the UK has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrialised world.
Rates of child poverty differ across Luton, with Northwell being the most deprived ward where 38 per cent of children are in poverty, closely followed by Farley and Dallow at 34 per cent, South and Biscot at 33 per cent, and Leagrave and Lewsey at 31 per cent.
In neighbouring Central Beds, only 13 per cent of children live in poverty, but this is higher in Houghton Regis where 28 per cent do.
Living in poverty means not having enough money to maintain an acceptable standard of living. See next week’s Luton News for local MPs’ reactions to the news.