THOUSANDS of young people are living in poverty in Cheshire East.

New data published by the Department for Work and Pensions has revealed the proportion of children under the age of 16 living in relative low-income families in 2022/23.

In Cheshire East, 14.7 per cent of children are living in poverty.

This is up from 10.3 per cent in 2014/15, the first year in the data series, and 12.4 per cent in 2019/20, the most recent pre-pandemic year.

According to the 2021 Census, the population of Cheshire East was 398,800 with 17.4 per cent of this figure made up of those aged 15 and under.

This means approximately 10,200 children are living in poverty in the area.

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The rise in child poverty seen in Cheshire East replicates a national trend.

Just over half, 52 per cent, of all UK local authorities have seen an increase in the proportion of children living in poverty since 2019/20.

Meanwhile, around nine in 10, 91 per cent, recorded a higher level in 2022/23 than in 2014/15.

Responding to the figures, the Government said it was helping people on the lowest incomes with a range of measures, including boosting benefits and pensions, extending the Household Support Fund and introducing the biggest-ever rise to the National Living Wage.