Children in England’s most deprived areas are significantly less likely to meet early development goals by age five, according to a new Unicef UK report, which calls on the government to urgently lift the two-child benefit cap to reduce rising child poverty.
The UN agency’s study analysed all local authority areas across England, comparing levels of deprivation with early childhood outcomes such as oral health, weight, and hospital attendance. The findings show a stark divide between rich and poor communities, with children in the most deprived areas falling far behind those in more affluent regions.
The analysis revealed that children in the poorest communities are more than twice as likely to miss key development milestones compared to those in wealthier areas. Blackpool, Knowsley, Liverpool, Kingston upon Hull, and Middlesbrough ranked among the bottom 20% across five of six key indicators for child wellbeing.
One of the most alarming disparities is in child obesity. Among reception-aged children, 12.9% in deprived areas are obese, compared to just 6% in the least deprived. Similarly, nearly a third (29%) of children in the poorest areas suffer from untreated tooth decay, compared to 15% in the richest.
The report also found that babies and young children in deprived regions visit A&E 55% more often than their counterparts in affluent communities.
Unicef UK CEO Philip Goodwin said: “The consequences of poverty can last a lifetime, especially for babies and young children. It is unacceptable that children growing up in poverty are more likely to face developmental delays, obesity, tooth decay, and hospital admissions before they even turn five.”
He called on the government to immediately scrap the two-child benefit cap and invest in vital early years health and education services. “Delays will condemn hundreds of thousands of children to poverty,” he warned.
Sarah Woolnough, CEO of the King’s Fund, echoed the concerns, warning that worsening child health could shape a generation of unhealthy adults. “Tackling child poverty must be as high a priority as reducing NHS waiting lists,” she said, calling for equitable funding for children’s services to secure the NHS’s long-term future.
Labour leader Keir Starmer, pressed on the benefit cap last week, said he was “absolutely determined” to reduce child poverty. Meanwhile, the government says it is addressing the issue through expanded free school meals, breakfast clubs, and increased funding for disadvantaged pupils.
However, campaigners argue that without lifting the two-child benefit cap, thousands of children will continue to be left behind during the most critical years of their development.
