Childhood poverty is a scourge on our society. It reflects the worst of the inequalities we have and the biggest failings of our government.
I have written before about how childhood poverty is impacted by rising housing costs, food inflation and soaring bills. It is not a cheerful topic, but it is an important one.
At the London Assembly I have campaigned to end child poverty in London. Last week, as Chair of the London Assembly Economy Committee, I launched a landmark report that shows the extent to which poverty is affecting families in our city.
One in three children live in poverty in London – around 700,000 children.
Inflation, in particular the costs of household essentials like food and energy bills, have made it even harder for many Londoners to make ends meet.
Poverty is not new for families here who have struggled to feed and clothe their children and heat their homes for years. The Government’s 2022 mini budget, which crashed the economy, has made life harder.
Politicians often point to work as a route out of poverty. While this can help, too many of my constituents suffer with low pay and insecure work, so do not see their lives improve by working.
Last week we saw that there are more Universal Credit claimants in London now than there were during the peak of the pandemic.
Four in ten are working – they just don’t earn enough to get by.
This figure is shocking but is more upsetting when you realise that 90% of people on universal credit cannot afford the basics. The cost of food, for example, has increased by more than the rate of Universal Credit every month since April 2022.
Our report set out recommendations on how best to solve this crisis.
The Mayor of London must continue the landmark programme of universal free school meals and the government must step up and provide funding.
The Mayor must develop a Childhood Poverty Strategy for London and must continue working with employers to become living wage employers so that parents don’t have to claim benefits.
It will not be easy, but with effort, leadership and commitment, I believe that things can get better and our children will no longer be left behind.