IT IS alarming to learn that one in three children in parts of Oxford are now officially living in poverty, according to the latest statistics from the Campaign to End Child Poverty.

It might surprise some people that those now being included in the statistics are working families whose incomes do not stretch far enough.

But cost-of-living pressures in the city anhd the county are huge – with rising house prices and high rents to pay before the council tax bill has even been considered.

For many families, once the bills have been paid there is not a great deal left for the weekly shop, let alone luxury items. At least with a growing economy families have the prospect of earning more money by working longer hours, or taking on other jobs.

But there are some parents on benefits who, for health reasons, find themselves unable to work, and they are particularly badly affected by any squeeze on their disposable income.

No one wants to see a child go without a meal, so it is reassuring that the safety net of food banks is now in place and the city council can analyse the detailed breakdown of poverty figures ward by ward to see which areas need the most support.

While child poverty rates are falling in some wards like Blackbird Leys and Marston they are increasing in others, and this is a problem that is not going to vanish overnight.

Labour MP for Oxford East Andrew Smith places responsibility for these latest statistics at the door of the Government, while his Conservative counterpart Nicola Blackwood has responded by saying a number of its policies will help to eradicate child poverty.

It’s a long time to wait, but families will have a chance to choose in the general election next year which political party will make them better off.