Figures have shown that child poverty has increased in the north-east of England in the first year of the pandemic, although it has fallen in many other areas.
Research conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition found it was at its lowest level in seven years across the UK.
Across the Northeast, however, it rose 12 percentage points to 38%.
It also increased by six percentage points in Yorkshire and the Humber and by five in Wales.
The researchers analyzed official figures from the Department of Works and Pensions showing the percentage of children living in households with less than 60% of the median income in local areas.
They found that it fell from 31% to 27% between 2019-20 and 2020-21.
The End Child Poverty Coalition, which represents more than 70 organisations, said it was likely due to government measures during the pandemic, such as temporarily increasing universal credit by £20 a week.
However, over the past decade, rates have remained “alarmingly high”, particularly in major cities and London boroughs.
More than half of the children growing up in Tower Hamlets lived in poverty in 2020-21, and more than 40% of children in five other London boroughs, as well as Luton, Newcastle, Birmingham, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Coalition leader Joseph Howes said: “There will always be conflicting government priorities but certainly the welfare of the most vulnerable children in our society should come first, especially as we go through the hardest period of price hikes in 40 years.
“It remains incredibly worrying that at a moment like this there is nothing in the Government’s Leveling Up strategy on this issue.
“It still feels like we’re standing on the edge of a precipice.
“There is great concern that the number of children in poverty will now rise sharply again and families will face huge increases in costs in the coming months.”
Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact at Save the Children said: “There must now be an immediate focus on the universal credit system to help families on the lowest incomes weather the cost of living crisis.”
A government spokesman said the eight million most vulnerable families would be protected with direct payments of at least £1,200 during the cost of living crisis from this week.
He said: “Through our support package the National Living Wage has taken £37bn to £9.50, the biggest increase ever.
“Moreover, we have expanded access to free school meals more than any other government in recent decades, while vulnerable families in England are supported through the Government’s Household Support Fund – which has recently been boosted by a further £500m.”
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