Alan Campbell MP has joined the North East Child Poverty Commission in urging the Chancellor to commit to increase social security support such as Universal Credit in line with inflation.

More than half – 52% – of all babies, children and young people growing up in the North East are in families relying on Universal Credit or equivalent legacy benefits. Most of these families are in low paid work or recognised by Government as being unable to work due to disability or caring responsibilities.

Alan said “It is a disgrace that recent research by the North East Child Poverty Commission that in 2020/21, the North East overtook London to have the highest rate of child poverty in the UK, at 38% – up from 37% the year before. This equates to just over 11 children in a classroom of 30.

The 2020/21 North East rise continues a longer-term trend, with the region experiencing by far the steepest increases in child poverty in the UK in recent years.

Failure to ensure social security support keeps pace with the cost of household essentials will push low income families across the North East into even greater levels of hardship and I have written to the new Chancellor to commit to urgent action on this issue.”