The Education Secretary has acknowledged that child poverty is a "massive" issue across the North East as she argues new government's latest measures will boost life chances.

Bridget Phillipson has said the newly unveiled Child Poverty Strategy will "make a huge difference", as latest figures show 170,000 children in the region live in poverty.

Released on Thursday (December 4), the strategy outlines families will be helped with the costs of baby formula and childcare will be expanded for those on universal credit alongside a raft of other measures.

Said measures are expected to lift more than 550,000 children across the country out of poverty in five years.

Speaking during a visit to Tanfield School in Stanley today, the Houghton and Sunderland South MP added the strategy will work in

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