‘These figures are truly dreadful. The Government was repeatedly warned of the likely consequences of reducing support for the poorest people in the country and now we can see the results. Austerity has bitten hard, with an additional 200,000 children living below the poverty line. More children face missing out on hot meals, sleeping in cold bedrooms and being bullied at school. In the longer term, too many young people risk being denied a fair start and left behind, with life-changing consequences.

‘The Government promotes getting families back to work as the best way of tackling child poverty, but the reality is that two thirds of children in poverty now live in working families. The four-year freeze to tax credits already in the pipeline will only make things worse. It is crucial that the Government recognises the importance of income to make sure that when parents move into work they move out of poverty.

‘The situation is made even more stark by the economic uncertainty that the country faces after last Thursday’s referendum result. Children did not have a role in that decision and their interests must be safeguarded first and foremost when deciding what happens next.

‘The publication of these figures must prompt urgent action to protect the well-being of children. Whoever ends up leading the Government must rule out further welfare cuts in another emergency budget that would punish the poorest families and inevitably drag more children into poverty.’

June, whose TV acting career spans almost 60 years, is launching the Christingle campaign which is raising awareness of the issues that affect disadvantaged children. Funds raised will go towards providing life-changing support to vulnerable children, and making sure their voices are heard.

In the UK there are almost 4 million children and young people dealing with hardship, abuse and neglect which are ruining childhoods and future prospects. June’s support will encourage people to attend one of the family-friendly Christingle fundraising events in schools and churches in their local area.

The celebrations, which have been held across the country for almost half a century, include singing and storytelling for both children and adults and revolve around children creating Christingles – a decorated orange with red ribbon, cocktail sticks and sweets. These, as well as a candle, highlight different parts of the Christian story.

Last year, the charity was able to work with more than 18,000 children with the help of the generous donations made at Christingle services. The charity works with children who are affected by issues such as child sexual exploitation, those leaving the care system, those struggling with mental health issues, those running away from care, young carers, refugees and migrants.

On supporting the campaign June said, “I love Christmas. It’s a time of such blessing and a reminder of God’s love for us and the hope we have in the birth of Jesus. It also offers a chance to remember those who are less fortunate, children and young people whose voices aren’t being listened to and whose problems are being ignored.

‘That’s why I’m supporting The Children’s Society’s Christingle celebrations, as money raised will go to support children and young people in this country who are suffering from terrible hardship, abuse and neglect. It’s why Christingle is so important, as it reminds us of the hope we can bring to thousands of children and young people in desperate need, especially at a time of year that often highlights their loneliness, and lack of loved ones to support and protect them.

‘I think of God as a force of love, and there’s no better time than Christmas to share his love by supporting the work of The Children’s Society. Please help them to bring hope out of despair, to listen and act at this special time of year to transform the lives of children and young people who have nowhere else to turn.’

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: ‘We are delighted that June, with her profile and genuine compassion for our causes, is supporting our Christingle campaign this year and helping to spread awareness of the work we do to support disadvantaged children.

‘So many vulnerable children and young people feel ignored and we want to make sure they are listened to so they can have the best possible chance in life. These Christingle events make it possible for us to carry on our vital work and transform the lives of more children in need of our help.’

As temperatures plummeted as low as -10c in part of England and Wales this winter, the Children’s Society estimates that two thirds of the UK’s 3.9 million children living in poverty are missing out on help from the Warm Home Discount.

Although all low-income pensioners automatically get a £140 discount on winter fuel bills, poor families with children have to apply to energy suppliers, with no guarantee that they will receive the support they need.

Analysis from The Children’s Society found that families with children spend around £1550 per year on average on their fuel bills – around £300 per year more on average than households without children. Ensuring low income families with children receive the Warm Home Discount would be a start in addressing this gap.

The Children’s Society has found that many poor families simply don’t know they may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, and that many of the most vulnerable families aren’t getting the help they need. The charity is calling for the government to automatically entitle low-income families with children to the extra support with heating costs.

Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “Living in a cold home puts children’s health at risk. Parents are doing the best they can on stretched incomes but all too often they simply can’t afford to put the heating on.

“The government should be doing all it can to ensure that children have warm, dry homes. As energy costs rise, this support is needed more than ever.”