The North East is taking bold action to address child poverty with a new £28.6 million investment, led by North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.
This initiative represents the most ambitious and coordinated regional effort of its kind in England.
The Child Poverty Action Plan is due to be approved by the North East Combined Authority and fulfils the Mayor’s pledge to make ending child poverty central to her mission of building a region of opportunity.
The plan includes targeted support for children and families from pregnancy through to early adulthood. Among the key interventions are:
• A regional health in pregnancy grant for low-income expectant mothers
• Expansion of baby boxes containing essentials for first-time parents on Universal Credit
• Year-round access to affordable or free youth activities and pre-apprenticeship training
• Free public transport for care leavers up to the age of 25 and a £1 fare cap for all under-21s
The strategy also includes new support for struggling families such as:
• A commitment to ensure every child in the region has their own bed
• Accessible school uniforms for families in need
• A new North East Warm Homes Taskforce to improve the energy efficiency of rented housing
Mayor McGuinness has already piloted childcare grants for parents returning to work and introduced a £1 flat fare on buses and Metro for young people.
This new plan builds on those efforts and expands support even before a child is born, with grants and baby boxes to ensure a strong start in life.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson welcomed the plan, emphasising that tackling child poverty must be a collaborative effort between national and regional authorities. She praised the North East’s leadership and commitment to investing in long-term change that supports families and uplifts entire communities.
The region faces significant challenges, with one in three children—approximately 120,000—growing up in poverty. This new action plan aims to break that cycle and improve life chances across the region.
Running from 2025 to 2030, the initiative has been shaped through extensive consultation with local communities, experts, and stakeholders during the region’s first Child Poverty Summit.
The strategy is designed to align mayoral programmes with regional efforts to ensure a united and sustained approach to reducing poverty and fostering inclusive economic growth.
