evidence: Regional differences across the UK - Child poverty in families where the youngest child is under five are higher in England and Wales (35% and 34%) than in Scotland (28%) and Northern Ireland (27%). - Within England, the North East has the highest rate of early childhood poverty (46%), followed by London (41%). Rates are lowest in the South West (29%). In the South East and East of England, early childhood poverty is slightly higher now than it was 20 years ago. - Since 2013/14, child poverty rates have been on the rise in some parts of the country. Child poverty rates in Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Manchester now stand at over 40% of all children, compared to 30% across the UK as a whole.