31% of children in North East live in poverty

One in eight of the poorest children in the UK go without at least one hot meal a day, and one in ten of the UK's poorest parents go hungry to feed their children, according to a report by Save the Children.

The charity spoke to more than 1,500 youngsters and 5,000 parents to compile the study, "Child Poverty in 2012, It Shouldn't Happen Here".

The report says that many families on low incomes are in work, but still in poverty. And that 80% of parents admitted that they were borrowing more money for essentials such as food and clothes.

The charity also says that in the North East 31% of children live in poverty.

Justin Forsyth, Save the Children's Chief Executive, said: "No child should see their parent going hungry or start the new term without a warm coat and with holes in their shoes. Poverty is tearing families apart, with parents buckling under the pressure of mounting bills and children seeing their parents argue more about money. That's why for the first time in our history we are launching a UK appeal. We need to help poor families survive the recession"

Mr. Forsyth added: "Given that most children living in poverty have at least one parent in work; it is appalling that those parents can't earn enough to give themselves and their kids a decent life. All working parents should be able to earn enough to meet the basic needs of their children. The Government must make work pay by encouraging more employers to introduce a living wage, provide extra child care support to help parents trying to get into work and protect the poorest and most disadvantaged from further cuts."

The charity wants to raise £500,000 to help its work in the UK, targeting the poorest children. It says this the first time it has appealed to the UK public for funds to help children at home.

External link: The Institute of Fiscal Studies prediction on child poverty