THOUSANDS of young people are living in poverty in Cheshire.

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.

A household is considered to be in relative poverty if its income is below 60 per cent of the current median average.

In Cheshire West and Chester, 17.3 per cent of children are living in poverty.

This is up from 11.6 per cent in 2014/15, the first year in the data series, and 14.6 per cent in 2019/20, the most recent pre-pandemic year.

According to the 2021 Census, the population of Cheshire West and Chester was 357,200 with 17.3 per cent of this figure made up of those aged 15 and under.

This means approximately 10,700 children are living in poverty in the area.

Meanwhile, in Cheshire East, the proportion of children living in poverty is 14.7 per cent.

This is up from 10.3 per cent in 2014/15 and 12.4 per cent in 2019/20.

With around 17.4 per cent of the borough’s 398,800 population being aged 15 and under, this means that around 10,200 children are living in poverty in Cheshire East

The rises in child poverty seen in Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire East replicate 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.