By Claire West
Commenting on the latest Household Below Average Income figures published today by the Office for National Statistics - which show that the number of children growing up in absolute poverty increased by 300,000 between 2011 and 2012 - TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said:
'Today's figures highlight how little progress is being made in tackling child poverty. More than one in four children are now growing up in households below the poverty line.
'While incomes have fallen for middle earners too, this huge decline in living standards is having a disproportionate impact on poorer families.
'More worryingly still, these figures date from before the huge wave of social security cuts the government has introduced over the last few months. Things are likely to get a lot worse in the future.'