Poverty remains a ‘significant’ issue in Portsmouth, new report warns

Poverty remains a persistent issue in Portsmouth, with deprivation becoming more concentrated in particular areas of the city.

A new report warns that poverty continues to affect a “significant proportion” of residents, despite improvements following the height of the cost-of-living crisis.

The report, to be presented to Portsmouth City Council’s health and wellbeing board, shows 15 of the city’s 125 neighbourhoods are among the 10 per cent most deprived in England.

Eight of those areas are in Charles Dickens ward, while Paulsgrove has three, Nelson two, and Fratton and St Thomas one each.

Some 7,911 Portsmouth children, over 20 per cent, are living in relative poverty before housing costs. In Somers Town, the proportion is as high as 48 per cent.

Meanwhile, 37.2 per cent of Portsmouth pupils were known to be eligible for free school meals during the 2025/26 academic year.

Average weekly earnings in Portsmouth were £701.10 in 2025 which is £68.40 less than the England average.

Some 30,222 people were claiming Universal Credit in May this year, a 7.4 per cent increase on the same month in 2025 – 40 per cent of claimants are in employment.

The cost of living remains a significant concern, with 76 per cent of residents telling the council’s 2025 Big Survey they were very or quite concerned about managing their finances.

Some 44 per cent said they were less able, or unable, to meet day-to-day living costs.

Food and energy bills were identified as the biggest drivers of rising costs, while the average rent for a two-bedroom property in Portsmouth was nearly £300 more than the maximum housing allowance available for such a property.

The council’s Tackling Poverty Action Plan for 2026-28 sets out four priorities: maximising household income, strengthening the local safety net, increasing opportunities and improving wellbeing, and using data to support partnership working.

Among the measures are campaigns to increase take-up of benefits and free school meals, social tariffs and financial support.

The plan also includes free energy advice, community hubs, debt advice, affordable cooking sessions and measures to improve digital inclusion.

The council is also targeting employment barriers through schemes including Youth Hubs and Connect to Work, while plans include more private rented sector inspections to tackle poor housing conditions.

Some of the work is already producing results. A campaign targeting people eligible for Pension Credit resulted in 73 residents making claims, with an estimated annual financial impact of £237,813.

The report will be discussed by members on September 23 at 10am in the guildhall executive meeting room.