New research has revealed that a North East town is the third most destitute place in the UK.

A study carried out by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that around 3.8 million people in the UK experienced destitution in 2022.

The research ranks towns and cities across the country looking at a number of factors and has ranked Middlesbrough as the third most destitute place in the UK.

To be considered destitute means a person's most basic needs are not being met, such as staying dry, warm, clean and fed. 

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device, click here

Since 2017, the number of children experiencing destitution has almost tripled – an increase of 186%.

Almost two-thirds of people who experienced destitution in 2022 have a disability or chronic health problem.

The social security system is not protecting people from destitution: 72% of those destitute are in receipt of benefits.

Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, from the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University, said: "This is the most comprehensive and detailed study of its type but having robust data on destitution is meaningless unless acted upon at the highest levels.

"The number of children living in destitution in this country has nearly trebled since 2017.

"This is morally reprehensible and must act as a stark wake-up call to policymakers across the political spectrum. No one of any age should be destitute in the UK today.

"To have these horrifying levels of destitution in a country like ours is a political choice.

Read more

"The scale of extreme material hardship we have uncovered reflects the state abdicating its responsibility to ensure that all members of our society are able to meet their most basic physical needs to stay warm, dry, clean and fed without having to rely on charitable help.

"There must be immediate action from all levels of government to tackle this social emergency."

Our map shows where towns and cities across the UK ranked.