Ayrshire's three council areas remain amongst the highest in Scotland for child poverty, new figures have confirmed. 

The levels are said to be remaining "unacceptably high" across Ayrshire and Scotland, according to new research from Loughborough University published today by the End Child Poverty coalition.

The new data covers the period to 2021/22 and provides the best available estimates of child poverty at local authority level, after housing costs have been taken into account.   

In North Ayrshire, an estimated 7141 (29 per cent) of children are estimated to be living in poverty, while in South Ayrshire the figure is 4807 (24.4 per cent) and in East Ayrshire 6314 (27.2 per cent).

The figures mean that North Ayrshire has the second worst ranking in the country behind Glasgow which sits at 32 per cent of children in poverty.

East Ayrshire sits in fifth place.

Across the UK, 4.2 million children were living in poverty (29 per cent) whilst in Scotland the figure is 250,000 (24 per cent of Scotland’s children). 

A South Scotland MSP called the figures "utterly shameful".

Commenting on the report, Colin Smyth said: “These numbers for Ayrshire are utterly shameful.

“This report exposes the growing scandal of poverty too many local families face.

“We need to open our eyes to the reality that many children in our region are going to bed hungry at night.

“The pandemic, followed swiftly by the ongoing cost of living crisis, is driving more and more people into poverty and it is our children who are paying the price.

“This must be a wake up call for both the UK and Scottish Governments to address this scandal and put in place a proper plan to tackle child poverty.”

A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are providing a £94 billion package of immediate cost-of-living support worth around £3,300 per household. 

“But in the long-term, the best route out of poverty is through employment, which is why we are boosting our childcare offers to help more parents to re-enter and progress in work. 

“The two-child policy asks families on benefits to make the same financial decisions as families supporting themselves solely through work, and there continues to be careful exemptions and safeguards in place within the policy to protect people in the most vulnerable circumstances.” 

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government added: “Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of three critical missions for this government. 

“This year and last we have allocated almost £3 billion to support policies to tackle poverty and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. 

“We have continually urged the UK Government to also take urgent action and match our ambitions to tackle poverty. 

“We have a range of actions in our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan and our five family payments could be worth over £10,000 by the time an eligible child turns six over £8,000 more than families in England and Wales.

“In addition, we’re making £84 million available to protect people from the damaging impact of UK Government welfare cuts including the bedroom tax and benefit cap, and have taken action on rent. 

“We are taking action within limited powers and fixed budget but it is only with the powers of an independent nation that we can use all the levers other governments have to tackle poverty and inequalities.”