The proportion of people living in relative deprivation in the borough has shrunk considerably in the last five years, government statistics show – but older people remain among the most deprived.

Newham has gone from being the second-most deprived local authority in England in 2010 to the 25th, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s English Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015.

In 2010, 31 per cent of neighbourhoods in the borough were highly deprived while in 2015 that proportion had dropped to 8pc.

After Hackney, Newham has experienced the biggest fall in the proportion of neighbourhoods in high depravity in the country.

But despite this improvement, the borough had the third-highest proportion of older people living in income-deprived households with 41pc.

Overall, the proportion of people living in income-deprived households in the borough was 21pc.

Responding to the statistics, a spokesperson for Age UK East London said: “Levels of deprivation and poverty in Newham are very high.

“We are deeply concerned that government cuts in adult social care spending will affect vulnerable older people badly, although Newham Council is doing what it can to protect front line services.”

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales, meanwhile, praised the positives of the report.

“The recent IMD data confirms the council has made massive strides in tackling the deep-rooted inequalities in the borough despite the savage government cuts.

“Newham’s approach is based on tackling the root causes of deprivation, such as poor housing, which is associated with a variety of health conditions and poor educational attainment, training and skills.

“We will continue to do what is right and defend our residents from these unfair and unprecedented cuts so that they have the tools they need to overcome challenges, achieve their aspirations and ultimately so the borough can rise out of poverty.”