11 facts that show Birmingham has a child poverty emergency

BirminghamLive has declared a Child Poverty Emergency. We have called for a host of changes to help more than 100,000 young people in the city who are struggling.

In a wide-ranging report, we have outlined the reasons, challenges and answers to the rising problem in one of Europe's youngest city. We urge you to read it and write to your MP demanding change.

Here are 11 facts that show quite how bad things have become in the city:

1. The level of child poverty has risen in Birmingham in each year for a decade

2. Latest data shows 41% of children in the city live in poverty- but it is much higher in some areas. It is more than twice as high as the national average (20% across the UK).

3. Birmingham now has the 3rd highest rate of child poverty of any local authority in the UK, up from the 8th highest a decade ago.

4. The actual number of children living below the breadline in the city has risen from 68,748 to 104,433.

5. Two in three children living in poverty in Birmingham come from a working family.

6. Across Birmingham, around 17,000 families are affected by the two-child benefit cap in the year to April 2024.

7. Children living in the most deprived 10% parts of England are more than twice as likely to die in infancy - and that is just the start of it:

8. There has been an 831% rise in families living in temporary accommodation in Birmingham since 2009.

9. Only 38.4% of pupils in Birmingham receive free school meals - despite more than 40% living in poverty. Nationally, the proportion of children on FSM is actually higher than the proportion of children living in poverty - 23.8% vs 19.8%.

10. Children from deprived areas are 73% more likely to be dragged into crime. The rate of 10 to 17 year olds receiving their first reprimand, warning or conviction is that much higher in the most deprived areas.

11. Demand from foodbanks to help children has risen 138% in four years, according to the Trussell Trust.