One in five kids from families with key workers are living in poverty, a report reveals today.
The horrifying study suggests the number of children living in poverty has already increased by 65,000 over the last two years, reaching almost one million this year.
The analysis, undertaken for the TUC by Landman Economic, also shows kids from key worker families in the North East are suffering the most, with 41% living in poverty.
This region is closely followed by the North West and London (both 29%).
Scotland and Wales have the lowest rates of kids living in poverty (from key worker families) with 8.3% and Wales 8.9% respectively.
It comes as inflation is predicted to skyrocket to 13% in the coming months.
The TUC has warned another year of below-inflation pay rises for public sector workers will have a "devastating" impact on frontline staff after a "brutal decade" of pay freezes and cuts.
Nurses are set to see their real terms pay-packets fall by £1,100 this year and more than £1,500 for paramedics.
TUC general secretary Frances 'Grady said: "Ministers' heartless decision to hold down pay will cause widespread hardship and put the UK at greater risk of recession.
"After the longest wage squeeze in 200 years, we urgently need to get more money in the pockets of working families.
"It is particularly galling that, as key workers are being told to tighten their belts, City executives are enjoying bumper bonuses."
Sara Ogilvie, policy director at the Child Poverty Action Group, said: "Children are growing up in poverty as a direct result of cruel policy decisions, including harsh benefit rules like the two-child limit."
A Government spokesperson said: "Latest figures show there were 200,000 fewer children in absolute poverty after housing costs compared to 2019/20.
"But we recognise people are struggling with rising prices which is why we are protecting millions of the most vulnerable families with at least £1,200 of direct payments, starting with the £326 cost of living payment, which has already been issued to more than seven million low income households.
"We're also making work pay. We're saving the typical employee over £330 a year through a tax cut, have boosted the National Living Wage to £9.50, the largest ever increase since its introduction in 2016 and we're allowing people on Universal Credit to keep on average, £1,000 more of what they earn, while all households will receive £400 energy payments.
"Last month we announced the largest public sector pay increases in nearly twenty years, reflecting the vital contributions public sector workers make to our country.
"Awards for many workforces are targeted, with the lowest paid NHS workers, police officers and new teachers receiving around 9% pay boosts."
The number of kids in poverty from key worker households by region
North East - 70,311/41.2%
North West - 174,495/ 29.1%
Yorks & the Humber 47,659/ 11.0%
East Midlands 49,150/ 11.5%
West Midlands 93,156/ 23.5%
East of England 115,563 / 23.6%
London 189,691 / 28.7%
South East 125,848 / 15.5%
South West 43,287 / 11.9%
Wales 22,285 / 8.9%
Scotland 37,005 / 8.3%
Northern Ireland 20,787 / 14.2%
