Child poverty rises sharply across Isle of Wight as more than 4,500 affected

Child poverty has risen significantly across the Isle of Wight over the past four years, with the latest figures showing more than 4,500 children across the Island are living below the poverty line. Both the East and West IW constituencies are outpacing regional and national trends. The data, covering 2021/22 to 2024/25, shows a steady rise in the number of children living in households with incomes considered too low to meet basic needs.

The figures relate to relative poverty, defined as living in a household with an income below 60 per cent of the median (middle) household income and are calculated before housing costs are taken into account.

In Isle of Wight East, the child poverty rate has climbed from 21 per cent in 2021/22 to 25 per cent in 2024/25. That represents 2,281 children, up from 2,056 three years earlier. The rate is significantly higher than both the South East average of 13 per cent, and the UK‑wide figure of 19 per cent.

IW East MP Joe Robertson told the IW Observer that child poverty on the Island is deeply worrying and reflects the gap between local incomes and the national average. He warned that with further cuts to Council and Children’s Services and higher taxes hitting jobs, the situation may worsen. He added he would continue campaigning for better support for families and more secure, better paid employment.

The picture is similar in Isle of Wight West, where the relative poverty rate has risen from 17 per cent to 22 per cent over the same period. The number of children affected has increased from 1,880 to 2,417, again placing the constituency well above the regional figure and above the national average. IW West MP, Richard Quigley said that he was shocked by the figures, but action is underway. He was proud of the government for lifting the two child benefit cap which will help 1,600 Island households, and 7,500 children now receive free school meals. He acknowledged that there’s more to do, including tackling cross-Solent costs, but he added that these are real first steps toward reducing poverty and ensuring no Island child is left behind.

The data shows that most children in poverty on the Island live in working households, reflecting national patterns and affects children of all ages.

Although the figures for 2021/22 were collected during Covid lockdowns, and are considered less reliable, there is a clear trend: under both the previous and current governments, child poverty on the Isle of Wight is rising year on year – and at a faster rate than the region as a whole.