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Isle Of Wight Child Poverty Rates Among Worst In South East

There are more than 7,000 children living in poverty on the Isle of Wight - one of the highest rates in South East England.

A total of 7,215 Island children were living in poverty during 2018/19. That is a rise of 407 compared with figures from 2014/15, when 6,808 children were affected.

The data, published by the End Child Poverty coalition, now takes into account housing costs.

It shows that, after housing costs, 32.7% of children were living in poverty on the Island last year. That is above the national average, which stands at 30%.

The Isle of Wight has the sixth highest increase in child poverty figures, behind the likes of Southampton and Portsmouth.

Coalition partner Buttle UK have joined forces with the National Lottery Community Fund to launch a £5m Emergency fund to help families who are struggling.

The news comes in the week where MPs - including the Island's - voted against a motion to extend free school meal vouchers for children during the school holidays.

The campaign, backed by footballer Marcus Rashford, has got local support from Isle of Wight businesses, who have come together for a new initiative. 

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