Politicians have responded to damning data showing that the number of children living in absolute low-income families in the area has increased.

The figures, from the Department of Work and Pensions, break down the number of children aged 16 and under, living in relative and absolute low income families per region, local authority, and Westminster parliamentary constituency.

Numbers are compared with the financial year end, going back to 2015.

In the Ballochmyle, Cumnock and New Cumnock and Doon Valley wards, the number of children living in absolute low income families has increased in all three.

Ballochmyle now has 532 children living in these conditions at the financial year end (FYE) 2022, compared with 418 12 months previously.

Cumnock and New Cumnock has increased from 400 in 2021, to 515 in 2022.

Doon Valley has also jumped from 379 in 2021 to 513 in 2022.

Across the whole of East Ayrshire, the picture does not get any more positive, with 4,180 children classed as living in absolute low income families as of the end of the 2021-22 financial year, compared with 3,393 12 months earlier.

Parts of these wards are also covered by the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock UK Parliamentary constituency.

MP for the area, Allan Dorans responded to the figures by saying: "It is with great sadness that I read these latest data suggesting a significant increase in the number of children living in ‘absolute low income’ in parts of my constituency.

"It is important to note a number of things before judging this trend.

"First, while the 2022 figure does suggest a dramatic increase in one year, this has been affected by equally dramatic fall in the previous year during the pandemic.

"If we more meaningfully compare the trend in the years before and leading up to 2021, we see a steady but less dramatic, still unacceptable of course, change.

"Second, within the limits of devolution, the SNP in government in Scotland has reduced child poverty to the lowest level in the UK."

Mr Dorans added: "The report found that Scotland has a lower rate of overall poverty (18 percent) than England (22 percent) and Wales (24 percent), partly because of lower housing costs.

"Scotland has seen the largest fall in poverty of any area in the UK – six percentage points below where it was 20 years ago. The report praised the Scottish Government’s move to limit rent increases, and the Scottish Child Payment scheme, whereby poorer households receive £25 a week for each child under 16."

Conservative MSP Sharon Dowey, who represents the area as part of her South Scotland regional remit, said that there is a duty to ensure that everyone is given the best chance to succeed in life.

Ms Dowey said: “I know that the cost-of-living crisis is continuing to present huge challenges for people across East Ayrshire but every child across our communities deserves the best chance in life so it is worrying that so many are currently living in low-income families.

“We need to attract jobs and investment in our communities, which is why the SNP Government should focus on boosting economic growth and creating opportunities.

“The UK Government have stepped up and increased the national minimum wage as well as uplifting benefits by the rate of inflation, which I was pleased to see SNP ministers following suit on.

“Both of Scotland’s governments have a duty to ensure that the best possible chances are given to everyone living in East Ayrshire and ensure those with children are not just merely struggling to get by.”