Shocking stats have shown nearly 25,000 children across Lanarkshire are living in poverty.
The figures were revealed by leading charities as fears grow that the cost of living crisis will plunge even more families into financial trouble.
The End Child Poverty coalition, which consists of a number of groups and charities, have now called for further action to combat the problem.
Statistics from the group show a total of 14,156 youngers in North Lanarkshire, or 23.2 per cent of the region's kids, are considered to be in poverty, while in South Lanarkshire a further 10,659, or 19.6 per cent, fall into the category.
The figures were worked out by seeing what families fall below the 60 per cent median income after housing costs were added in.
When split by parliamentary constituency, Airdrie and Shotts has the highest number, with 25.7 per cent of kids beneath the poverty line, followed by Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill on 23.6 per cent and Rutherglen and Hamilton West on 21 .3 per cent.
However the figures are actually down across the board on the amount of children listed as being in poverty in 2019/2020.
Campaigners say the new data shows just how important additional investment in the new Scottish child payment will be in supporting families through the cost of living crisis.
Ed Pybus, of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, responded to the new figures, told Lanarkshire Live : "The figures show just how big a difference investment in social security can make, and how important the Scottish government’s new Scottish child payment is and will continue to be if Scotland is to end the scandal of children living in poverty.
"Progress is being made but, as low-income families struggling to cope with spiralling prices know all too well, there is no room for complacency, and we need every level of government to do its bit if we are to meet Scotland’s child poverty targets.
"The UK government must now commit to ongoing increases in UK family benefits.”
Mr Pybus also called on local councillors to play their part in finding new ways to combat poverty.
He added: "Here in Scotland we urge newly elected councillors to use every tool at their disposal to boost family incomes and reduce the costs families face.
"That means using local powers to deliver more cash support to families, support decent jobs - especially for women and those affected by disability, and improve access to high quality, free and accessible childcare.
"Finally, the Scottish government should act now to double bridging payments in advance of the full roll out of the Scottish child payment to ensure school aged children get the same support as the under sixes who are already benefiting from the payment."
Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey, who is also the children's minister for the Scottish Government, stated: "Child poverty is still far too high, but the figures show that real progress is being made in Rutherglen and Cambuslang, and across Scotland.
"The Scottish Government’s Scottish Child Payment is putting cash in the pockets of 7545 families in South Lanarkshire – helping to tackle child poverty amidst the Tory cost of living crisis.
"After the scheme is extended as planned, it could lift 40,000 children out of poverty.
"Unique devolved policies like the Scottish Child Payment and the increase in the funded hours for Early Learning and Childcare to 1140 hours – which is saving families up to £4900 per eligible child – are having an impact.
"Scotland has lower levels of child poverty than England or Wales, but we could do more with full welfare and tax powers – and without Westminster austerity policies which undermine progress."
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