We live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet four million or 30 per cent of British children live in poverty. This is one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industralised world.
Ellie, 12, lives in a council maisonette with her mother Sally, her unemployed stepfather David and four of her five brothers and sisters, their home is on inner-city Birmingham estate.
Ellie’s mother has six children by four different fathers and is expecting her seventh baby.
David has been unable to find work for three years.
After having been expelled from school Ellie spends her time helping her mother look after her two-year-old brother.
UK government has pledged to eradicate child poverty in a generation by 2019.