A charity spokesperson has noted how education and 'upskilling' helps people move away from poverty - a pattern that could prompt higher take-up of electrical courses.

Tim Nichols, press and parliamentary liaison officer at Child Poverty Action Group, encouraged the government to give poorer people the chance to gain more wealth by completing qualifications.

But he stressed that training - such as electrical courses - is often not enough to pull individuals out of poverty, since family income and the affordability of housing can be major obstacles.

"With more children below the poverty line living in families with work, it is essential that we not only upskill our population, but upgrade the work and remuneration available," said Mr Nichols.

Recent research by the Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health showed a variety of educational benefits are achieved by offering poor children intensive learning programmes when they are young, including improved behaviour.

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