MANY residents may have just enjoyed the excesses of Christmas but the number of families struggling to make ends meet is increasing and it is the children who are suffering says a leading charity.

New figures released by Barnardo's reveal that every constituency in the borough has seen a rise in the number of parents who are either receiving unemployment benefit or the maximum level of tax credits to supplement a low income.

Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush fares worst with 58 per cent of households deemed struggling with either the sole parent or both parents affected. This is a rise of two percent on the previous year and ranks the constituency 25th worst out of the 74 in the capital.

Next comes Ealing Southall with 51 per cent, a rise of three per cent. It is ranked 35th worst. And Ealing North comes in at 42nd place, with 46 per cent of children living in struggling families, a rise of two per cent.

The charity, whose findings are based on the 2007/8 financial year, the most recent figures available, says this highlights a worrying growth in child poverty as about half of all struggling families are living beneath the breadline. Poverty is defined as any family with an income less than 60 per cent of the average national income, working out as anything less than £10 per person per day.

Andy Slaughter, MP for Ealing, Acton and Shepherd's Bush said the figures showed the importance of the government's efforts to tackle unemployment, low wages and child poverty.

"He said: "The present government has done more than any previous government to lift children out of poverty but there's still a long way to go. What Barnardo's are drawing attention to is some of the measures effectively doing that.

"Low-income employment is an issue, especially in areas such as west London where living costs are high. That's why tax credits are absolutely vital and Cameron's plans to cut them would be such a retrograde step."

Ealing Council said it has set up a range of schemes to tackle the problem. A spokeswoman said: "We've successfully set up 22 children's centres across the borough, 19 of which are within the most deprived areas and a further six are being developed. We're encouraging families to find out whether they are entitled to benefits."

To find out if you are eligible for child tax credit or other support call the Ealing Community Benefit Team on 020 8825 8555.