Child poverty rose for the third year in a row in Swindon just before the coronavirus pandemic hit, figures reveal.

Department for Work and Pensions data shows 6,293 children under 16 in the town were living in families with low incomes in 2019-20 – an estimated 14 per cent of all youngsters in the area.

That was up slightly from 13 per cent the year before, and the third consecutive increase.

The opposition Labour group claim schools in the town have been "failing" youngsters, while the Conservative administration say child poverty remains a "complex issue".

A family is defined as in low income if it earns less than 60 per cent of the national median household income before housing costs are considered.

Of the children in poverty in Swindon last year, 1,833 or 29 per cent were below school age and 71 per cent were in working households, while 42 per cent were in lone-parent families.

Swindon Borough Council’s deputy leader Russell Holland is responsible for educational attainment and also has in his portfolio a small team managing financial and social inclusion.

He said: “Child poverty is a complex issue and linked to a wide variety of factors including education, housing, health and financial issues.

“A significant amount of the council budget is spent helping those children who are most in need.

“Swindon has a very strong economy which is key for helping people into work but we are very conscious that there are areas of deprivation where some families struggle.

"With a combination of working closely with partner organisations as well as using government funding we have been able to help literally thousands of families.

“The key message that I would like to give is that if families are struggling they should contact the council to find out what help may be available as soon as possible."

The Swindon Labour group’s spokesman on children Carole Shelley said: “There is overwhelming evidence of the negative effects of child poverty on children’s day-to-day experience as well as future prospects.

“We believe it’s important to tackle the causes of poverty as well as resulting issues.

"The problem is not going away in Swindon, it’s getting worse, and I fear Covid-19 will make it worse again – but let’s not use the pandemic as an excuse.

“We need to see better leadership from our council, long term planning, and the determination to do better.”

More of the ways to address poverty lie in the hands of central government than local councils, but Coun Shelley said the place to start would be with schools.

She said: “Low educational attainment is the key way in which poverty in childhood affects outcomes for adults and we know that some Swindon schools have been failing too many children for too long.

“This needs to be a priority – all schools need to be as good as the best schools. We are calling for good quality education, and support for parents, especially in deprived areas.

She added: “Evidence shows that increasing household income increases children’s educational outcomes. Providing good affordable, local childcare will allow working families to increase their income. Also maximising the take-up of in- and out-of-work benefits, including education-related benefits such as free school meals and school uniform grants would help too.”

Coun Shelley said it was important to make sure poorer families were getting the help they were entitled to.

She added: “Still too many working families in Swindon are not accessing the support they are entitled to, including the Healthy Start funding, and this needs to change. The council needs to help them.

“In Swindon, our absolute aim must be that no child goes without the food, good education and the care they need. The Covid-19 pandemic has opened people’s eyes to child poverty, and in-work poverty.

“Individuals, local charities and businesses have really stepped up in Swindon to feed and help those in need, and that work is appreciated. We don’t know what the future holds, we can hope for the best, and plan for a better future.

“In the 21st century it should not be that difficult eliminate child poverty."

The council’s website swindon.gov.uk has a section called Benefits and Money Matters with advice on what benefits are available and how to claim and contact details for further support.