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Christmas - A Time of Plenty for London Children? - 5th of Jan, 2009

As children across London return to school this week, poor children will face another harsh blow as their Christmas experiences differ vastly from those of their friends. Latest figures from End Child Poverty estimate that over 40 per cent of London children will have gone without this Christmas. At a time of festivity, joy and excess for many, children who live in poverty will be feeling particularly marginalised and disenfranchised. Deloitte & Touche recently reported the average person will have spent £655 this festive season, whilst families in poverty struggle to put aside as little as £1 a week to save for Christmas. 

The pressure on parents and families to spend, spend, spend during the festive season can be enormous and this year KPMG has predicted personal insolvencies will rise by 50 per cent in the UK as Christmas spending, rising unemployment and soaring living costs force thousands of people over the financial edge and into bankruptcy. With Londoners identified by Christians Against Poverty as the most at-risk group for getting into debt over the Christmas season, this means more London families than ever will be feeling the pinch as they enter the New Year. Many families will turn to local charities for advice in this difficult time.

To support these frontline voluntary and community organisations in the vital services they offer, 4in10: The End Child Poverty London Project has launched a series of good practice workshops that will bring organisations from across London together to share ideas and pool expertise.  

Liz Thorne, London Development Officer for End Child Poverty, said “End Child Poverty recognises the significant additional strain Christmas can place on families in poverty, particularly those living in London. Now, it is more important than ever for community and voluntary organisations to work together to provide the support parents need in this difficult time.”

The first of these workshops will focus on Parental Support, encouraging organisations from across the capital that provide essential support services to come together to discuss good-parenting advice, involving parents in community regeneration and sourcing funding for parental support activities. The workshop theme will be “Supporting London Parents Back to Work”, recognising that the current economic climate will call on voluntary organisations to provide much needed additional support to parents looking to re-enter the workplace, or to enter it for the first time.

All events are free and all voluntary and community organisations working with London families are welcome. To find out more about the project and the upcoming events please visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/London.

Ends

Notes to editors

4 in 10: The End Child Poverty London Project, funded by the City Parochial Foundation and the City Bridge Trust, is a two-year London based project coordinated by End Child Poverty. The project has two aims: the first to raise awareness of the extent of child poverty in London and increase advocacy and campaigning on the issue; the second is to identify projects and schemes that have been shown to have a positive impact on the levels of child poverty in the capital and to develop strong networks through which knowledge and expertise can be shared.

Organisations across London are encouraged to join the project; membership to the 4 in 10 network is free.

For more information, and interviews contact Liz Thorne, London Development Officer (Liz@ecpc.org.uk or Tel: 020 7278 3404).

For more information on the project visit http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/london.

Child poverty is defined as those living below 60 per cent of median income. In this report children in or on the brink of poverty are referred to as ‘struggling’ and defined as those whose families are receiving either out of work benefits or working tax credit. More than half of this combined group are below 60 per cent median income and more than two thirds are below 70 per cent median.

The Campaign to End Child Poverty is a coalition of more than 140 organisations children's and other charities, social justice groups, faith-groups, trade unions, businesses and many others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK who are working together for change. For more information visit our website www.endchildpoverty.org.uk. The comments in this release represent the views of the Campaign to End Child Poverty and do not necessarily reflect the views of member organisations.    

Deloitte & Touche figures released 18th November 2008. For more information please visit http://www.deloitte.com/dtt/article/0,1002,cid%253D232691,00.html.

KPMG figures released 31st December 2008. For more information please visit http://www.kpmg.co.uk/news/detail.cfm?pr=3309.

Christians Against Poverty figures released 21st November 2008. For more information please visit http://www.capuk.org/downloads/three_quarters_of_brits.pdf.

The comments in this release represent the views of the Campaign to End Child Poverty and do not necessarily reflect the views of member organisations.