Ministers pledge to end child poverty in London

Stephen Timms, Beverley Hughes and Jane Kennedy are today calling for services that work with children and families, such as job centres and schools, to sign up to a set of specific actions to help families in London raise their incomes and lift themselves and their children out of poverty.

In London child poverty has fallen by less than any other region in the UK, with inner London rates staying at 31 per cent, which is above the national average of 22 per cent. Nationally, 600,000 children have been lifted out of poverty - but 400,000 of London's children still live in poverty.

Hughes said: "London has a particularly high level of child poverty and a unique set of problems, which make it harder for Londoners to step out of the poverty trap.

"Common influences include a lower employment rate than average, particularly among lone parents, mothers in couples and disabled parents. These problems can only be tackled through a concerted effort by services in London working together to be truly responsive to the needs of whole families."

The pledge includes leading the way in family-friendly working practices to help parents progress to better paid jobs and appointing a child poverty champion who will ensure the organisation delivers its commitments.

Anyone who would like to support the pledge should contact Sally Knock at sally.knock@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 020 7925 3873.