The impact of Child Poverty in the North East
120,000 babies, children and young people in the North East Combined Authority area live in poverty, many of whom are in a family with at least one parent or carer in work. Single parent families and families with under-5s are disproportionately affected by poverty in the North East. Growing up in poverty can have a significant impact on children’s immediate and future outcomes – and makes it much harder for young people to achieve their potential.
What we're doing about it
In September 2024, the Mayor and North East Combined Authority Cabinet set up the country’s first Child Poverty Reduction Unit (CPRU), backed with £500,000 initial investment, to develop an action plan for the region.
In November 2024, the Mayor convened the Child Poverty Summit, attended by 350 people from across the region to galvanise action and begin work on the CPRU’s priorities. You can watch sessions here from the Summit, and find out more about the local leaders from across public, private and voluntary sectors backing the Mayor’s plan.
Between January and March, the Mayor and CPRU met in all seven local authority areas, with community groups, charities, schools and many other organisations to develop a grassroots action plan tailored to local needs, and the strengths and opportunities of each part of the region.
Since then, the action plan has been further co-developed with parent/carers and young people from across the region to ensure that it reflects what families want and need.
The Mayor has taken a number of steps to tackle the drivers of child poverty, and provide immediate support to families facing pressures from the cost of living. This includes:
Mayor’s Childcare Grant
Creating the Mayor's Childcare Grant to help parents return to work or training. A pilot was launched in Spring 2025 and will be expanded further in the Autumn.
Helping people find and stay in work
A £50 million package vto help 13,500 people who face barriers due to health and disability, to find and stay in work.
Cheaper bus fares
Extending of the £1 fare for young people aged 21 and under on bus, Metro and Ferry next year, and doing everything possible to keep the affordable fare in place until 2028.
£28m of new investment
£28m of new investment to kickstart delivery of the regional action plan - including projects which support families with childcare costs, provide Baby Boxes for new families, and ensure children and young people access to low and no cost opportunities outside of school.
£2.7m to support families, schools and employers
Committing £2.7 million to support families, schools and employers in the academic year 2024/25. The measures include financial advice ‘at the school gate’; help to cut the cost of the school day; and free after school clubs and learning sessions. 1,500 new parents will receive ‘baby boxes’ to help give their children the best start in life.
Download the Action Plan
Download our Child Poverty Action Plan and find out more about what action we're taking to support children and families across the region. The action plan includes:
- An overview of our plan
- Our ways of working as an organisation
- How we'll measure progress
- Key data about child poverty in the region
- What we're doing now, and our plans for the future
Latest news
Child Poverty Action Plan Launch, BBC Look North (22/07/25)
North East Mayor kicks off grassroots plan to tackle child poverty at unit launch in Newbiggin
Mayor Kim McGuinness' visit to poverty charity Love, Amelia
What will happen next?
The North East Mayor Kim McGuinness will invest £28.6m to tackle child poverty across the region, after the North East Child Poverty Action Plan was formally approved on 22 July 2025.
The Action Plan will drive the most comprehensive and coordinated regional intervention of its kind in England, fulfilling Mayor Kim’s promise to put tackling child poverty at the heart of her mission to make the North East the home of real opportunity.
The plan is based on insights and feedback gathered from the Child Poverty Summit in 2024 and from engagement events held all over the North East at which hundreds of organisations and individuals with first hand experience gave their input. The Plan sets three strategic priorities:
- Supporting families here and now;
- Breaking down the barriers to opportunity that poverty can bring;
- Tackling longer-term structural challenges.
How can I show my support for the Mayor’s child poverty plan?
We've created a partner pack which includes the tools and information to help show your support and spread the word.
Download our ready-to-use materials which include:
- Full plan (PDF)
- Plan on a page (summary)
- Social media posts and graphics
- Email header and footer
- Website / newsletter content
Together, we can play our part to tackle child poverty in the North East.
Sign up for latest updates on the Mayor’s Child Poverty Action Plan
To subscribe to regular updates from the Mayor on the work of the Child Poverty Reduction Unit, please enter your information in the form linked below.
If you'd like to get involved in work to tackle child poverty or have any queries, please email childpovertyreduction@northeast-ca.gov.uk