Councillor for the area Willie Sawers described the situation as “inexcusable” and “tragic.”

He called for action to be taken on the “blights that have held the children of Whitfield back for too long”.

“This report is shocking but sadly familiar,” he said. “Endemic poverty has characterised Dundee and particularly Whitfield for far too long.

“It is absolutely inexcusable that any child should live in poverty but to hear that 75% of children in some parts of my ward should be disadvantaged from birth is tragic.

“Clearly the area’s challenges are complex and will not be resolved overnight, but action must be taken on the blights that have held the children of Whitfield back for too long.

“I have been frustrated by the inaction of previous administrations to make real changes in the area but heartened by the news that the Scottish Government is taking health inequality seriously.

“This is a damning indictment of Labour’s record for the past 11 years at Westminster and emphasises why the Scottish Government needs control over economic policy.”

Labour Councillor Brian Gordon, who also represents the Whitfield area, added, “It’s disappointing to see these figures. However, I know through my involvement with the community regeneration project that people at local level are trying their best with limited resources.

“It seems unbelievable to me that the UK has one of the highest rates of child poverty, despite being the fifth richest nation in the world.

“The Government made a bold promise to halve child poverty by 2010 and now, with less than two years to go, this doesn’t look like becoming a reality.

“Both regional and national government – ie the Scottish Parliament – should get together to make sure that this target is reached.”

The city council today said it was trying hard to bridge the gap between rich and poor.

A spokesman said, “The council works with partners in the city to play its part in tackling the inequalities that persist and to close the gap between the most and least successful communities.

“Wherever possible, we encourage people to apply for the Government benefits to which they are entitled to enable their incomes to be increased.

“There are also initiatives that the council is involved with that are designed to help people get back into work, including Working for Families and Discover Opportunities.”