NEW government figures showed that over 200,000 more children are living in poverty – taking the total number to 3.9 million of our children.

This is unacceptable. Those statistics represent real kids – some of whom live in our local community – who are missing out on the basics they need to thrive, like school trips, having friends over for tea, clothes that fit or a warm enough house.

Charities estimate 17.9% of youngsters in York Central are in poverty.

Even that figure hides child poverty in wards such as Westfield and Guildhall exceeding 30%, while wards such as Clifton, Hull Road, Holgate, Heworth and Fulford all exceed 20%.

We need action from Government and from City of York Council to change this - not just words.

If every child really matters, action is required now. So to the current Conservative and Lib Dem coalition in York I say: what are you doing about this?

Richard Bridge, Holgate Road, York