Government condemned over 'shocking' rise in child poverty: 'It's a national scandal'

Ministers admit 'disappointing' statistics show there is 'more to be done'

The government has been condemned in the House of Commons after new official figures revealed a rise in child poverty.

Amber Rudd, the work and pensions secretary, admitted the statistics were "disappointing" but said ministers were addressing the causes of poverty.

MPs urged her to "change course", suggesting government policies including universal credit and the benefits freeze were behind the rise.

The Department for Work and Pensions figures showed that 14 million people in the UK are living in absolute poverty. This includes 3.7 million children - 200,000 more than last year.

The rate of absolute child poverty had been gradually falling since 2012 but is now rising again.

The finding will come as an embarrassment for ministers, who have previously responded to a rise in relative poverty by suggesting absolute poverty was a more accurate measure.

Speaking in the Commons, Margaret Greenwood, Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary, said the government's approach to tackling poverty was one of "complacency and denial".

She said: "Today's figures are truly shocking. They highlight the devastating impact of austerity on families across the country.

"It is a national scandal that 14 million people, including 4.1 million children, are living in poverty in one of the richest countries in the world."

Ms Greenwood called for the government to end the benefits freeze a year earlier than planned, saying this would make families an average of £560 better off.

She added: "In the face of this human misery we hear the secretary of state attempt to justify austerity and this government's clear political decision to balance the books on the backs of the poor and disabled. This is a disgrace."

Independent MP Frank Field, chair of the Commons work and pensions committee, said it was "horrifying" that "we live in a country where people are cold and hungry and pushed into destitution"

And Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Philipson urged Ms Rudd to "change course", saying: "No child in modern Britain should grow up in poverty and frankly it should be a source of shame for ministers that today we are seeing child poverty rising even by their own preferred measures."

Responding for the government, Ms Rudd said: "Since entering government in 2010, income inequality has fallen, we have lifted a total of 400,000 people out of absolute poverty - but of course no-one in government wants to see poverty rise, after all we all came into politics to help people plot a path to a better life."

The work and pensions secretary admitted the new statistics were "disappointing" and showed "there is more to be done".

She promised to look at what else the government could do, saying: "I am determined to tackle poverty, in particular child poverty.

"And as I look at the next steps on welfare policy and at the DWP budget, including at the spending review, I will of course look at what more can be done to address poverty."