A tenth of 14-year olds are living in persistent poverty, analysis by the Children's Society has found.
The charity found that 10% of children aged 14 taking part in the research were from households living below the income poverty line.
A further 21% of 14-year olds (153,000) have grown up in homes that have experienced intermittent poverty.
Children that have experienced poverty are unhappier with their lives and were more likely to feel miserable or unloved than those children who have never experiences income poverty, the study found.
'It is scandalous to find out so many children have spent their entire lives growing up in poverty or live in families who regularly struggle to pay the bills and put food on the table,' said Mark Russell, chief executive of the Children’s Society.
'Something must change, especially as this research clearly shows that just one experience, no matter what age it happens, can have a detrimental effect on how satisfied a child feels with their life.
'We know the start of year is often an extra tough time for families and so it is vital the government makes a renewed commitment to cutting record high levels of child poverty and sets out a brand new action plan.'
