MORE than 20,000 children are living in poverty in Sandwell, according to a report on childcare.

The shocking statistics have been revealed despite each of the borough’s 20 wards seeing a decrease in the number of youngsters in low income homes.

Councillor Steve Eling, council leader, says the authority is working tirelessly to bring the figures down further.

The issue will be discussed by councillors on the children’s services and education scrutiny board.

In all, one in four children (24.9 per cent) in the borough were described as living in poverty compared to 16.6 per cent for the whole of England.

That has fallen from more than 30 per cent in 2008.

It amounts to 20,485 youngsters, of which 17,840 are under 16 years of age.

Using HMRC data for the seven years between 2008 and 2015 the report maps out the areas where children have been hit hardest.

Only Old Warley is below the national average with 16.3 per cent.

Cllr Eling said: “The council is working tirelessly to tackle and prevent child poverty.

“This has become an increasing challenge due to welfare reforms such as the benefit cap introduced by the government and we are concerned about the impact of the rollout of Universal Credit on local families.

“As a council we are working really hard to help people get into work.

“We’ve been targeting our 40 per cent of most disadvantaged two-year-olds for 15 hours of free nursery education, to help parents who wish to return or stay in work.

“We also continue to invest in our welfare rights team and in voluntary sector advice partners, such as Citizens Advice Sandwell, to help local people to claim their benefits.

“For example 2017/18, they helped local people to claim more than £36 million worth of benefits.

“We know a lot of advice provided goes to families, for example Sandwell Consortium delivers advice in children’s centres.”

Members of the council’s children’s services and education scrutiny board will discuss the report - which can be viewed here - at their meeting on Monday (July 23).