Hackney and Tower Hamlets ranked worst in England for child deprivation

New data released this autumn reveal Hackney and Tower Hamlets have the highest levels of deprivation among children in England.

They are also ranked as the two most deprived areas for older people.

According to the English Indices of Deprivation Report 2025, 64% of children in Hackney live in income-deprived households, compared with 55% of older people (those aged over 60). In Tower Hamlets, the figure for child deprivation is 71% and for older people it’s 61%.

In some areas of Stamford Hill, 99% of children live in income-deprived households. Across the borough, 16% of neighbourhoods are classed as highly deprived (across England the figure is 10%).

Pat Fitzsimons, CEO of Hackney Foodbank, said: “This report makes for grim reading – it reveals levels of deprivation among children have worsened considerably in Hackney in recent years.

 “We see first-hand here at the food bank what the impact of child poverty is.  It’s children living in damp, cramped, unsuitable housing, it’s malnutrition, parents going hungry so their children can eat, and we believe it’s having an enormous detrimental impact on child health and mental health.

“High rents are a major factor here, with the average cost of a two-bed place at £2,400 per month and Local Housing Allowance falling woefully short.

 “Demand for our food bank has increased by 450% since the government’s last Indices of Deprivation report in 2019. We need urgent action to level the playing field.”

Hackney Foodbank’s caseworkers have been working closely with the community in Stamford Hill to try to improve things; helping with income maximisation and other support.  The Hackney Giving Van, a mobile food bank, visits the area every week.

The Index of Multiple Deprivation is the official measure of relative deprivation in England, ranking neighbourhoods by income, health, employment, crime, living environment, education and barriers to housing services and combining them into one score.

The deprivation indices were last published in 2019 – at that time Hackney was ranked 22nd in England for levels of deprivation among children and third in London.

Hackney Foodbank has launched a campaign to raise vital funds this winter. To donate, visit: https://donorbox.org/winter-campaign-2025-835193