The UK government has published its long-awaited strategy against child poverty at the end of 2025. The country is at its highest level of child poverty since 2002, with 31% of children, or around 4.5 million, living in poverty. Adverse social and economic conditions are causing a major public health crisis in childhood. Child poverty impairs development in the first years of life and throughout life, affecting brain development, respiratory health, cardiovascular risk, as well as educational and social outcomes. The strategy cites evidence of the links between poverty, poor mental health and childhood obesity, which are among the most pressing public health challenges for children. Rising child poverty has contributed to a sharp rise in the number of children entering care in England and is placing a high cost on local authorities. However, gaps remain in the strategy.