THOUSANDS of families in the South are being forced to cut back on heating and food because of the decision not to increase certain benefits, according to new research.

The End Child Poverty coalition says more than 100,000 youngsters in 64,000 families in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have been affected by the decision not to raise children's benefits in line with the cost of living.

They say the Government's decision not to increase child benefit and child tax credit in line with the cost of living over the past three years has left one in six families in the South East struggling to make ends meet.

And the organisation has called on the Government to raise the benefits in line with inflation in a bid to tackle child poverty in the South and the rest of the UK.

David Cameron's Conservatives swept to power with a majority at the recent General Election, and End Child Poverty say "triple lock" protection for children's benefits and child tax credits should be introduced as a priority by the Prime Minister.

That would mean that the benefits would rise in line whatever is highest out of prices, earnings or 2.5 per cent.

End Child Poverty have called on the Government to phase in the measures over the course of the next five years, saying it would mean 310,000 fewer children living in poverty throughout the UK by 2020 than currently do.

Its chairman David Holmes CBE said: “It is deeply worrying that parents are having to cut back on food, heating and other essentials that their children need in order to develop and thrive.

"The new Government needs to seize the opportunity in the Queen’s Speech to stop the rise in child poverty. During the election campaign David Cameron promised not to cut child benefit, now is the time for him to keep that pledge.

“We think it is vital that child benefits keep pace with the cost of living and that the Government gives them the same protection as the state pension. This is an opportunity to be bold and to invest in our children’s future.”

A spokesman for Her Majesty's Treasury said: “The truth is that the percentage of people in the UK in relative poverty is at its lowest since the mid-80s and the Government has taken action to support low and middle income families with the costs of raising children.

“In the last Parliament, the child element of Child Tax Credit, available to families with children on the lowest incomes, was increased by £180 above inflation, to help support families on low incomes with children.

“The Government also helps families with the high costs of childcare – for example by funding 15 hours a week of free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds.

"The only sustainable way to raise living standards is to keep working through the Government’s long-term plan that is building a resilient economy with more people in work than ever before and has enabled us to announce the first real terms increase in the minimum wage since the great recession.”

(Figures from the End Child Poverty coalition)

                                               Families affected               Children affected

Eastleigh                                        5,800                                 9,900

Fareham                                         4,500                                 7,400

Gosport                                           6,500                                11,400

Isle of Wight                                   10,800                               16,800

Meon Valley                                    4,100                                 7,200

New Forest East                             4,800                                 8,300

New Forest West                            3,900                                 6,600

Romsey/ Southampton North       3,700                                 6,500

Southampton, Itchen                      8,200                                 13,700

Southampton, Test                         8,300                                  14,400

Winchester                                     3,400                                  5,700