New research reveals hidden picture of poverty and inequality in London
print-friendly versionPosted 19 May 2009
London has the highest rates of poverty and inequality of any region in the country according to new research from the City Parochial Foundation and the New Policy Institute, launched today.
London's Poverty Profile is the first independent report to bring together such a wide range of indicators measuring poverty, inequality and social exclusion in the capital. It will be available on a new web site (www.londonspovertyprofile.org.uk) and updated regularly to monitor progress. The report was launched at Shoreditch Town Hall on 19 May with speakers including the Minister for London and Minister of State for Employment & Welfare Reform, Tony McNulty MP.
The research analyses the latest available data to reveal patterns of poverty and inequality across the capital and how this has changed over time. It shows that:
• London is the most unequal region in England. There are more people in London with an income in either the top ten per cent nationally or the bottom ten per cent nationally than anywhere else in the country.
• A higher proportion of people of all ages in London live below the poverty line than in any other region in the country.
• Almost half of child poverty in London can now be found in households where at least one adult is working.
• Beneath the overall figures lie real differences within London. On many indicators, Inner London is worse than any English region but it has improved over the past decade. In contrast, although Outer London usually still does better than Inner London, it has been getting worse on a number of issues including child and working-age poverty. More of the capital's low-income population now live in Outer London than Inner London.
• Boroughs in the Inner East & South of London, fare badly on a range of indicators in comparison to London's other boroughs. This is particularly noticeable for worklessness and ill health. However, pockets of deprivation and exclusion can be found right across the capital.
• The proportion of households in London living in temporary accommodation is ten times higher than the national average and five times higher than the English city with the second highest rate.
More positively the research shows that educational attainment at both ages 11 and 16 has significantly improved in London since the late 1990s. At age 16 pupils in Outer London now do better than anywhere else in the country with a lower proportion of pupils not attaining five GCSEs (grades A-G) than any other English region.
"This research shows the scale of the challenge facing London," said Bharat Mehta, City Parochial Foundation's Chief Executive. "Although the capital is one of the richest cities in the world it also faces a daunting mix of problems. Behind the famous skylines and historic buildings lies a picture of widespread deprivation.
"Only the most determined effort will turn the tide of poverty and inequality facing the people of London. For example, the government cannot get close to its target of eliminating child poverty by 2020 unless it makes dealing with the issue in London a priority," he said.
Report co-author Peter Kenway added: "The more prosperous Inner West of London is unrepresentative of the capital as a whole. Poverty and disadvantage are at their deepest in the Inner East, both north and south of the river. But they are also experienced by people in many parts of Outer London too. And as a rule, it is here, over the last decade, that things have been getting worse".
While much of the analysis in the report predates the economic downturn, it is clear that even before the recession London faced significant challenges.
"Tackling London's long term problems cannot wait until after the recession. We need urgent action on housing, on employment and on low pay. We need the government, London's Mayor, our local councils and the wider public and voluntary sector to work together to give London the future it deserves," said Bharat Mehta.
Note for Editors:
The City Parochial Foundation (CPF) is one of the largest independent charitable trusts in London. It was established in 1891 and is dedicated to tackling poverty in the capital. It awards more than £6 million in grants to voluntary and community groups every year (www.cityparochial.org.uk).
The New Policy Institute is an independent think tank, founded in 1996.
The report will be launched at Shoreditch Town Hall from 10.30 am on May 19th with Tony McNulty, Minister for London and Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform, Anthony Browne. Policy Director for the Mayor of London and Peter Kenway of the New Policy Institute. The event will be chaired by Yasmin Alibhai Brown, columnist for The Independent and the London Evening Standard. Shoreditch Town Hall is at 380 Old Street, London, EC1V 9LT.
Contact Details:
City Parochial Foundation: 0207 606 6145
Lesley Cramp Press Officer: 07718 120047