The number of people living in relative poverty in the UK has risen for the first time in nearly a decade.
More than 10 million individuals were estimated as being in relative poverty, below 60 per cent of average household income, in 2014-2015.
Worryingly, this is a rise of half a million on the previous year when 9.6million individuals were in relative poverty, according to Department for Work and Pensions figures.
Children's Society chief executive Matthew Reed described the figures as "truly dreadful".
He said: "The Government was repeatedly warned of the likely consequences of reducing support for the poorest people in the country and now we can see the results."
This is the first year-on-year increase since 2007-2008 and also the highest figure since 2009-2010, when the number was 10.4 million.
Child poverty also rose by 200,000 to 2.5million in 2014-2015, which was the first increase since 2006.
But average household income is now back above levels last seen before the 2008-2009 financial crash, hitting a record high of £473 a week in 2014-2015.
Work and Pensions secretary Stephen Crabb hailed the rise in average household income as a "sign of a strong economy" that is "benefiting people across the UK."
He also acknowledged there is "still more to do" in tackling poverty.
"Our Life Chances Strategy will look at the root causes of poverty, whether that's worklessness, debt or addiction, family break down or educational attainment.
"It's only by doing this that we can truly tackle poverty and ensure everyone succeeds in life."
