Biggest rise in child and OAP poverty for 20 years

A “turning point” has been reached in the fight against poverty following the first sustained increases in child and pensioner poverty for 20 years, a new report says.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said almost 400,000 more children and 300,000 more pensioners are living in poverty than four years ago.

Its state of the nation report said poverty rates increased last year, leaving 14 million people living in poverty, including four million children and 1.9 million pensioners.

New threats are emerging to the poorest households, including rising housing costs, higher food and energy bills, debts and not being able to contribute to a pension, said the social research group.