New research finds a strong correlation between the two-child limit and the proportion of children in poverty in each London constituency.

The research, by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, shows, for example, that Bethnal Green and Stepney constituency, which has the highest rate of child poverty in London (50.4%) , has the second-highest proportion of children affected by the two two-child limit (22.1%). Richmond Park has the lowest child poverty rate (12.7%) and the smallest proportion of children affected by the two-child limit (3.2%).

The coalition of charities says the findings, for April 2023-April 2024, provide yet more evidence that the two-child limit is a key driver of rising child poverty and must be scrapped in government’s forthcoming child poverty strategy.

The new data shows 35% of all London children are in poverty, the second highest rate in the country , just behind the West Midlands region (36%) and on a par with the North West (35%). In almost two thirds of London constituencies (65%) more than 31% of children are experiencing poverty.

But there are wide variations between London constituencies, with a difference of 38 percentage points between the constituencies with the highest and lowest child poverty rates (Bethnal Green & Stepney and Richmond Park, respectively)
The Prime Minister, Keir Starmer’s constituency Holborn and St Pancras has a high child poverty rate at 47%. Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s Tottenham constituency has a rate of 45.1%.

11 London constituencies with highest child poverty rate

Parliamentary Constituency

% of children living in poverty (2023/24)
Bethnal Green & Stepney
50.4%
East Ham
47.7%
Holborn and St Pancras
47%
Barking
46%
West Ham & Beckton
46%
Hackney South & Shoreditch
45.7%
Stratford & Bow
45.5%
Tottenham
45.3%
Ilford South
45.1%
Hackney North & Stoke Newington
44.6%
Poplar And Limehouse
44.6%

Child Poverty Action Group Chief Executive Alison Garnham said:

London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world but a third of its children are cut off from opportunity by poverty. Our research finds a clear link between the two-child limit and high rates of child poverty in the capital. The policy condemns families to live on less than they need and traps children in poverty that will likely follow them for the rest of their lives – in worse health, lower educational outcomes and lesser earnings as adults. Government has committed to tackling child poverty but the strategy it’s drawing up will run aground unless the two-child limit is abolished – and fast.

Across the UK, 31% of children (4.5 million) are living in poverty.

Commenting on the new UK-wide child poverty data, Rachel Walters, End Child Poverty Coalition Manager said:

No child in London or beyond should have to experience poverty. These figures should demonstrate to government the urgent need for bold action to stop the damage being done to children’s life chances. As a first step the government must scrap the two-child limit which is pulling more than a hundred children into poverty across the UK every day.

Liv, 19, from Liverpool, who is an End Child Poverty Coalition Ambassador, said:

Growing up in poverty is relentless, and it’s never just about money – it is about isolation, shame, and missed opportunities.
A proper government strategy on child poverty gives us hope. It shows that our experience is heard, and that there’s a commitment to building a fairer society where no child has to grow up feeling less than others just because of their circumstances.