The coalition, involving 42 charities including Barnardo's and LondonPlay, is using the manifesto to highlight what they call "the starkrealities that children in London currently face".
Proposals in the manifesto include ensuring access to play facilities tohelp reduce obesity, while the document highlights figures showing thatjust under half of inner London children are living below the povertyline.
London's councillors are also being urged to develop high-quality,affordable childcare and address "school holiday poverty" by providingfree and accessible activities during these periods.
Housing is another major concern with latest Greater London Authorityfigures showing that a third of children and young people in the capitallive in overcrowded households.
The coalition also wants to see councillors address the high number ofschool exclusions in London and the high rates of mental disorders amongthe capital's children. And the manifesto calls for an independentcounselling service to be made available to all schools.
The manifesto, Towards an Inclusive and Child Friendly London - AChildren and Young People's Manifesto for London Local Government, isthe second such document published by the coalition. The first waspublished ahead of the 2004 London mayoral elections.
Ute Navidi, director of London Play, said: "This is different as it hasa focus on Every Child Matters. For example, in London play facilitiesare under constant threat even though they are crucial to meeting eachof the five outcomes."
- www.barnardos.org.uk
- See Analysis, p11.
