THE NUMBER of people living in poverty has risen by almost half a million in a year, according to data published today by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Official government data counted 13.4 million individuals who were living in poverty in 2024-25, up from a total of 12.93m in 2023-24.

DWP data also revealed that of the 4m children considered to be under the poverty line, 2.9m live in working households.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak blamed 14 years of successive Conservative governments for the sharp increase in deprivation, and claimed more recent Labour measures have yet to show results.

He said: “Everyone who works for a living should earn a decent living. But during the years of Tory government, poverty rates for working households soared.”

Mr Nowak pointed to policies brought forward by the government of PM Sir Keir Starmer such as increasing the minimum wage, improving workers’ rights and ending the two-child benefit limit.

He said: “The Labour government has already taken important actions to reduce poverty, but it will take some time yet for the impacts to be seen in the data.

“With Trump’s illegal war on Iran threatening a surge in energy costs, it’s right that ministers are planning now for how to help households.

“Low-income families will need the greatest protection. The longer the war goes on, the more likely it is that Trumpflation will push up prices across the economy, and that more support will be needed.”

The latest DWP figures define poverty as a household with income that is less than 60 per cent of the median national average, calculated after housing costs.

They also found the number of children living in poverty went down slightly, from 4.04m in 2023-24 to 4.03m last year.

The Child Poverty Action Group said: “Growing up in poverty damages children’s everyday lives and future chances.

“Removal of the two-child limit next month is an important first step in making life better for kids.

“With four million children living in poverty, government will have to invest in sustained support for children and families to meet its ambition to give every child the best start.”

Government figures put the number of children it expects to be lifted out of poverty with the scrapping of the two-child cap at 450,000 children by the end of 2029-30.