MORE than a million people — including 300,000 children — in Britain were classed as destitute last year, according to a study published today.

Four out of five of the 1.25m people found without means to provide for themselves were born in Britain, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation research shows, and most were most likely to be single young men. However, considerable numbers of families were also counted.

Common causes for their utter poverty included high costs of housing and other essential bills, unemployment and benefit sanctions or delays.

“There are a shocking number of people in the UK living in destitution,” said foundation head Julia Unwin.

“It is simply unacceptable to see such levels of severe poverty in our country in the 21st century.

“Governments of all stripes have failed to protect people at the bottom of the income scale from the effects of severe poverty, leaving many unable to feed, clothe or house themselves and their families.”

The report said destitution was the most severe form of poverty, meaning someone cannot afford the basic essentials they need to eat, keep clean and stay warm and dry.