New data from the government released shows that 32% of all children are living in poverty across the North West while 59% of constituencies in the region, a quarter or more of children are living in poverty
Manchester Rusholme is the constituency with the highest level of child poverty in the North West – with 48% of all children here living in poverty while Gorton and Denton and Oldham West have 46%
Other Greater Manchester constituencies feature in the top ten including Manchester Central,Blackley and Middleton South and Rochdale
The data also shows that the vast majority of North West constituencies (59%) are home to families where at least 1 in 4 children live in poverty. This could mean families using food banks to feed their children, using baby banks so children don’t go without the essentials they need like clothes or nappies, or living in cold or unsafe housing.
As this data is produced retrospectively, the impact of the government’s ‘Tackling Child Poverty Strategy’ can not be seen in these figures.
Scrapping the two-child limit (due to happen on 6th April 2026), and increasing eligibility for free school meals in England (September 2026), alongside other measures will lead to a reduction in child poverty across the North West.
The End Child Poverty Coalition urges the government to continue investment to reduce child poverty levels, and to continue with its work to tackle child poverty in the North West and across the UK.
Sophie Livingstone MBE, newly appointed chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition and CEO of Little Village baby banks said:
“No child in the North West or beyond should have to experience poverty. So many parents are under such strain because the system isn’t working for them when childhood should be a time of safety and opportunity, not filled with worry about where the next meal will come from or how you’ll clothe your child.”
“While measures like scrapping the two-child limit and widening access to free school meals will make a meaningful difference for many families, they are only part of the solution. We need sustained, long-term commitment from government to ensure every child has what they need to thrive. Anything less risks more families being pushed to the brink, and more children growing up without the basics they deserve.”
Graham Whitham, Chief Executive at Manchester based Resolve Poverty said:
“Figures released today show the worrying and persistent levels of child poverty across the North West of England. These figures are a stark reminder that too many children and families in this region are still struggling and unable to afford essentials like food, heating and school uniforms. What’s more, these children are also missing out on a ‘normal’ childhood, with the usual hallmarks of childhood like day trips and birthday parties out of reach for so many.”
“Unfortunately, these figures also represent how persistent the issue of child poverty is in the North West. This isn’t a short-term issue, but instead these figures highlight the structural challenges in the social security system and the labour market which continue to put pressure on low-income families.
It’s positive that the government have taken steps to reduce child poverty in recent months, with the scrapping of the two-child limit due to come into force in the next week, the publication of the Child Poverty Strategy and the new Crisis and Resilience Fund which will allow councils more scope to support households in financial crisis, whilst also focussing on important preventative measures. But it’s clear that more must be done, and we urge the government to invest more funding and resources in poverty prevention at a local level to ensure all children have the opportunities they deserve.”
