More than 14,000 children in Gravesham and Dartford face being pushed into poverty due to planned tax credit cuts - part of a £4.4 billion axing exercise.

The dire warning comes from The Children’s Society who claim their research shows families at risk are some of the lowest paid.

Across the country, they say such changes would lead to 2.4 million working families losing hundreds or even thousands of pounds each year.

“The proposed cuts are targeted specifically at people in work - and those with children are more likely to be hit than anyone else,” said the society.

It gives a break down of constituencies in the south east who would be impacted, revealing 4,100 families in Gravesham face such cuts, affecting 7,800 children.

Over in Dartford they figure 3,300 families, including 6,500 children, are in the firing line for the Chancellor’s target.

Last month the House of Lords voted to delay the changes, with Chancellor George Osborne indicating he would come back with measures that might soften the blow during his Autumn Statement, which he is due to deliver tomorrow (Wednesday).

Matthew Reed, chief executive of the society, said: “Parents would no doubt do what they could to shield their children from the impact. But the reality is that tax credits are vital for poorer families who work long hours to provide the basics for their children.”