New UK government figures have revealed the sharpest increase in absolute poverty in the UK for more than 30 years.

According to official statistics, 600,000 extra people came into this category last year. Rising energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine are partly to blame, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation the trend has been getting worse for decades. Their most recent report published in January outlined how current levels of poverty are around 50% higher than they were in the 1970s – before Margaret Thatcher came to powe.

Adrian Goldberg hears from Joe Elliott, analysis manager at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Jospeh Howes, from Chief Exec of Buttle UK, which provides grants for children and young people in crisis. He is also Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition.

Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg.

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