MPS warned Sir Keir Starmer to “urgently” tackle poverty after a report found unemployment and crime would rise in England’s most deprived areas by the next general election.

In a study ordered by No 10, the Independent Commission of Neighbourhoods (Icon) predicted that England’s 613 poorest neighbourhoods will suffer worse conditions by the end of this parliament.

Icon said recent extra funding to these areas was not enough to counteract long-term negative trends such as antisocial behaviour and decline of high-street retail and hospitality.

Despite government promises to invest in England’s most deprived areas, northern MPs said recent changes to local government funding will disproportionately affect northern communities.

Labour MP Jon Trickett told the Morning Star: “The north and other held back communities need a massive programme of an investment similar to the Marshall Plan, in order rebuild broken economies and address chronic deprivation.”

This was echoed by fellow Labour MP Neil Duncan Jordan, who said the report should “sound the alarm” for Sir Keir.

“We need to urgently look at ways to raise wages, cut energy bills and cap rents,” he told the Star.

“Because we know that poverty creates the conditions for the far right to peddle their divisive rhetoric.

“Tackling the cost of living crisis is the number one issue facing millions of families up and down the country.”

A Momentum spokesperson said: “Billionaires have seen their wealth soar, while unemployment and deprivation blight the lives of millions.

“The Labour government must be bold and commit to rewiring Britain’s economy. That includes a tax on extreme wealth, public ownership of utilities and the genuine reversal of austerity.”

The report will come as a blow to Sir Keir who has framed investment in England’s most deprived communities as his best bet against the rise of Reform UK.