From the CEO: 2026 Child Poverty Statistics – North East Still Facing Highest Rates in the Country

New data published today shows that 30% of babies, children and young people in the North East are living in poverty, compared with 27% across the UK. This marks a slight improvement on previous years, which reported 31% both nationally and regionally.

The figures are based on 2024/25 after‑housing‑costs data, offering a robust benchmark for understanding how poverty affects families and providing a baseline for assessing the impact of the new Child Poverty Strategy. For the first time, the Government has released this information for every Parliamentary constituency and local authority in the country.

Key findings for the North East

• 19 of the region’s 27 constituencies and 10 out of 12 local authorities have child poverty rates of at least one in four.
• Middlesbrough has the highest rate in the region, with 38.7% of children living in poverty, followed by Hartlepool at 31.9%.
• North Tyneside has the lowest rate at 22.9%, with Northumberland next at 24.2%.

These figures underline why our work remains vital. Poverty continues to limit children’s access to education, attainment, a sense of belonging and future earning potential. While the numbers have begun to move in the right direction, millions of families are still being held back.

It is important to recognise that these statistics are retrospective. We expect to see the most significant reductions reflected in 2026/27, following the end of the two‑child benefit limit and the expansion of school breakfast provision nationwide. Together, these measures offer real hope for children growing up in the North East.

Suzanne Jobson, Operations & Development Director at Children North East and Vice Chair of the North East Child Poverty Commission;

‘Every child growing up in every part of our region should have the opportunity to thrive and experience a good childhood, but today’s figures show how many children – across all parts of the North East – are being held back by the multitude of barriers that poverty can bring. We see this day in and day out at Children North East in our work with children and families across the region.

‘Scrapping the two-child limit and expanding free school meals – the two flagship measures in the new national child poverty strategy – are hugely important and welcome, but the Government cannot stop there if we are to expand opportunities for all babies, children and young people growing up across our region.’

Sources; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/workless-households-and-educational-attainment-statutory-indicators-2026 https://endchildpoverty.org.uk/child-poverty-2026/