New data shows 4 million children in poverty

There are 4 million children in poverty in the year April 2024 to March 2025 (2024/25) new DWP statistics show. Today’s Households Below Average Income (HBAI) reports 4 million children – 27% – were in poverty in 2024/25. The two-child limit was in place in this period and will be removed from April 2026.

Commenting on today’s HBAI findings, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said

'Growing up in poverty damages children’s everyday lives and future chances. Removal of the two-child limit next month is an important first step in making life better for kids. With 4 million children living in poverty, government will have to invest in sustained support for children and families to meet its ambition to give every child the best start.'

Today’s figures show 72% of children in poverty are in working families. 2.8 million poor children are in deep poverty. 21% of children are in poverty in Scotland.

In calculating today’s HBAI statistics, the DWP used a welcome, new data collection method. This has resulted in a revision downwards of the total number of children in poverty:

Last year, using the previous methodology, the DWP reported 4.5 million children in poverty in the year April 2023 to March 2024.
Today, using the new methodology, it reports 4.0 million for 2024/25, as well as 2023/24

Notes to editors:

Today’s Households Below Average Income statistics, covering April 2024 – March 2025 are https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/announcements/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2025

In calculating today’s statistics, the DWP has used a new methodology. While the figures are based on household survey data as usual, in addition, government data on what benefits people receive has been used to correct some under-reporting of benefits across the social security system, including pensions. In effect, survey data has been cross-checked against government’s administrative data and adjustments made. Around £40bn of benefits is underreported and an estimated one third of this relates to families with children (source: CPAG’s calculations from A Corlett, Improving our understanding of UK poverty will require better data, Resolution Foundation, 2021).

Today is also the first time the government is publishing after housing cost child poverty statistics for each local authority area. They can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-2022-to-2025

The two-child limit will be abolished from April 2026. The effect of the abolition on child poverty levels will not show up in official statistics until the Spring 2028 edition of HBAI which will cover the period from April 2026-March 2027.

CPAG media contact: Jane Ahrends 07816 909302