UNICEF UK responds to the UK Government’s Household Below Average Income Report 2023-24
London, Thursday 27 March 2025: New UK Government data released today shows 4.5 million children are living in relative poverty across the UK, with 31% of all children growing up in families struggling to afford the basics. This rises to 36% of children in households where the youngest child is under 5. Figures reveal 200,000 more children pulled into poverty from the previous year – hitting record high.
Dr Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer of The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said:
“The UK has seen the highest increase in child poverty of any OECD and EU country in the past decade and today’s shocking figures show the situation is getting worse. Now record numbers of the UK child population are living below the poverty line, many of whom are under 5 years old.
“The consequences of poverty can last a lifetime and are especially harmful for babies and young children. Growing up in poverty damages children’s life chances – making them less likely to be school ready at age 5 and increasing their risk of developing health issues like asthma and obesity. In the upcoming Comprehensive Spending Review, the government needs to prioritise investment in early childhood services, to help reduce the impact of poverty on young children’s development.
“The Prime Minister promised action to break the link between background and future success and reduce the number of children living in poverty. But with the cuts announced in yesterday’s Spring Statement predicted to increase this figure, the government must show it is serious by calling an immediate end to the 2-child-limit and benefit cap in its Child Poverty Strategy. This one step would lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.”
-ENDS-
Notes to editors:
The full HBAI release, titled “Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2024,” can be found on the official GOV.UK website here: Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2024 – GOV.UK
For more information, please contact the UNICEF UK media team on 0207 375 6030 [email protected]
UNICEF Innocenti’s Report Card 18: Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth
Report Card 18: Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth picks up from Report Card 12’s analysis of the effect of the 2008-10 recession on child poverty, published in 2014, and looks at the progress that has been made in the last decade and consider what more needs to be done to achieve results for children.
Report Card 18 makes use of monetary and non-monetary (material deprivation) measures for its analysis. The headline measure of the report is relative income poverty, that is the proportion of people who earn less than 60 per cent of the average income. Non-monetary poverty measures access to essential goods and services.
The UK saw the highest increase in child poverty of all OECD and EU countries included in the report between 2012/14 and 2019/21.
Download the report here.
UNICEF UK’s Early Moments Matter campaign
UNICEF UK’s Early Moments Matter campaign is calling on the UK Government to invest properly in early childhood and deliver a Baby and Toddler Guarantee, so that parents and carers can access the vital services and financial support to help them and their baby now and set them up for success in the future. Families need a range of support, but the campaign is focusing on financial support for parents, access to early education and childcare, and parents’ mental health as an urgent priority.
Find out more about the campaign, what is included in the Guarantee, or sign the petition here.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland).
For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.