Seems slightly lower now
2011 figure seems to be about 5% compared to 6.4% in 53/54
low point 73 with .2%
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_Kingdom#Historical_statistics_on_poverty
But the data is confusing and complicated
Poverty is not an absolute but relative measurement households with income below 60% of the median (average)
What has happened over the last 50-60 years is that noyt just the gap between richest and poorest has grown but the numbers in the lowest tranche has grown
We've become a more fragmented society in terms of earnings and that has partly driven social seperations and you see that reflected in poverty figures
In this recession fewer people have been made unemployed but prices have risen way faster than incomes have for many people so there have been a lot of people living on the edge who are now badly struggling.
Hence the rise of payday lenders, foodbanks etc.