NEW data has revealed that one in eight children in North Somerset are living in relative poverty.

Department for Work and Pensions figures show 5,258 children in North Somerset were living in relative poverty in the year ending April 2022.

It meant 13.8% of children in the area were in a family whose income was below 60% of average household income and claimed child benefit and at least one other household benefit.

Of these children, 3,979 were in absolute poverty as their family's income was lower than 60% of the median income established in 2010-2011 – accounting for (10.4%) of kids in the area.

Overall, it was up from 11.4% of children who were living in poverty in 2020-21 and up from 11.8% seen in 2014-15 when comparable records began.

When asked about what the council is doing to help, a North Somerset Council spokesperson said: “We know that times are financially tough for many in our communities.

"That’s why we’ve put in place a number of schemes which provide help and support. These include the Household Support Fund, where over £4m has supported people who claim council tax support. We’ve provided food vouchers and free activities for children in school holidays to those in need.

"We’re working with schools to make sure eligible families are taking advantage of free school meals. Our welfare provision scheme can provide people with short-term financial help to buy gas, electricity, food, clothing, travel and more.

"We are also automatically paying 12,000 households in receipt of Council Tax Support and inviting an additional 1,400 Housing Benefit customers that don’t receive Council Tax Support to apply. 

"We’re supporting parents and carers into work, or to get better paid jobs, through various schemes. These include our ‘Supporting Families’ project which provides opportunities for parents to be supported to enter/re-enter the workplace; ‘Women’s Work Lab’ - the third North Somerset cohort of a scheme to help mums back into employment is about to start next month; and we’re enabling care experienced young people and refugees to get easier access to employment opportunities through our work with the Department of Work and Pensions.

"We’re also encouraging more early years providers to help parents to pursue employment. For more information about the support available, please visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/col.”