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Poverty Worst in London's East End: Newham Bottom of the League - 1st of Jun, 2009

According to new research by the City Parochial Foundation and New Policy Institute, Newham was revealed to be one of the most deprived boroughs in London. 4in10: The End Child Poverty London Project is highlighting the need for concerted action to address Newham’s child poverty upon the release of ‘London’s Poverty Profile’. The report, which analyses the inequality entrenched in the capital, shows that London is the most deprived region in the UK and the East of the capital is worst affected.

London Development Manager Liz Thorne of 4in10 has said ‘Poverty blights children’s lives and this report demonstrates the direct impact on children in Newham. The alarming prevalence of child poverty highlighted by ‘London’s Poverty Profile’ in what is one of the richest cities in the world is something which should shame us all.’

Newham is amongst the worst performing boroughs according to the research on issues such as numbers of workless adults, children in workless families, low paid residents, infant deaths, premature deaths (under 65) and households in temporary accommodation. It scored lower overall than neighbouring Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

According to figures published by End Child Poverty 69% of Newham’s children are growing up in struggling families. ‘London’s Poverty Profile’ highlights the already established links between ill health, bad housing and cyclical poverty which directly result from the experience of poverty in childhood, illustrating the devastating impact this can have on children’s lives.

Although the report rates Newham’s performance on pay inequality, underage pregnancy and attainment age 16, as being in the top 50% of London boroughs, the overall picture it paints is of a borough with high levels of deprivation to overcome. Local authority initiatives such as the Newham Child Poverty Strategy and innovative approaches such as the Mayor’s ‘Workplace’ project are helping, but more work needs to be done.

Liz Thorne, End Child Poverty’s London Development Manager has said ‘Newham is a borough with a great many challenges which are directly affecting its children. The borough has amazing diversity and many strengths, and at 4in10 we are working locally with over 25 charity and community organisations to look for practical solutions on a local level.

We are asking everyone to get involved, so together we can make a real difference to Newham’s children. Please visit www.4in10.org.uk to find out how.’

Ends

Notes to editors

For interviews contact Liz Thorne on 020 7278 3404 or 07857 077 054 or via liz@ecpc.org.uk

4 in 10: The End Child Poverty London Project, funded by the City Parochial Foundation and the City Bridge Trust, is a two-year project coordinated by End Child Poverty that is working with voluntary and community organisations throughout London to raise awareness, strengthen campaigning and develop string networks of good practice. Organisations across London are encouraged to join the project; membership to the 4 in 10 network is free.

4in10 has been specifically focusing with its good practice network on 10 inner London boroughs in its first year, of which Newham is one, and is also working in the boroughs of Newham and Westminster to strengthen the voice of the voluntary sector and open up dialogue between organisations and decision makers on child poverty issues.

‘London’s Poverty Profile’ contains research broken down borough by borough into 16 specific issues and groups affected. For more information, or to download a copy of the report, please see www.londonspovertyprofile.org.uk

For more information on the project visit http://www.4in10.org.uk/

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 150 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 End Child Poverty and do not necessarily reflect the views of member organisations.