Three million UK children living below poverty line: study

The findings come before the government's first budget later this month, and with a cost of living crisis that has driven soaring use of food banks.

According to the report by non-governmental organisation the Trussell Trust, almost a quarter of children under four are facing extreme poverty.

"Shockingly, 46 percent more children are facing hunger and hardship than two decades ago. That equates to one in five children growing up trapped in this situation," the trust said in a statement.

A UNICEF report last year found that the UK -- a G7 and NATO member, and the world's sixth biggest economy -- has one of the highest rates of child poverty among richer countries.