UP TO 29% of children are living in poverty in Chelmsford, according to figures released this month by the End Child Poverty campaign.
According to the data the highest levels of child poverty in the city can be found in the Marconi ward, with 29.12% of youngsters growing up poor, after housing costs after taken into consideration.
This is closely followed by the St Andrews area, with 27.4%, Great Baddow West with 26.5% and Great Baddow East with 22.34%.
The lowest levels of poverty are in The Lawns area, in Springfield, with 7.93% - more than 20% lower than just a few miles down the road in the Marconi ward.
Chair of End Child Poverty David Holmes said: "These figures reveal just how widely and deeply child poverty reaches into our communities, even those areas generally regarded as well off.
"Far too many children whose parents are struggling to make a living are suffering as a result and missing out on the essentials of a decent childhood that all young people should be entitled to. We can and must do better for our children.
"Poverty ruins childhoods and reduces life chances. Failing to invest properly in children is a false economy: already child poverty costs the country £29bn each year and in the long run taxpayers will foot an even higher bill for correcting the damage.
"We are calling on politicians of all parties to urgently set out a clear road map towards ending child poverty which includes the additional actions needed and the measures by which progress will be tracked."
