A CHARITY has issued a warning over “Dickensian levels of poverty,” amid fears many children will miss out on Christmas basics.

Experts at Action for Children said a decade of austerity has caused “almost unrecognisable levels of poverty” in communities.

They are concerned that a number of youngsters in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire will be deprived of basics such as warm winter clothing, fresh food or celebrations this Christmas.

Paul Carberry, Action for Children’s director for Scotland, revealed the charity’s frontline services have seen a 30 per cent rise in families seeking financial advice in the last three years.

He said: “Every day, our staff see the impossible choices that families living in practically Dickensian levels of poverty have to make.

“Our services are helping families keep their heads above water through budgeting, providing a meal or making sure they get help from foodbanks.

“Inequalities in health and life-expectancy remain as prevalent and, after a decade of Tory austerity, the dramatic rise in the use of foodbanks tells its own sad story.

“While the Conservative government claims that the era of austerity is over, it is impossible to see the evidence of this.”

However, a UK Government spokesman said it is committed to making sure every child has “the very best chances in life.”

He added: “With this Government’s changes, there are a near-record low number of children in workless households in Scotland, boosting their prospects in life.

“Household incomes have never been higher, income inequality has fallen and taxes are down for families and businesses.”