Pledge to tackle child poverty

Organisations across London are being urged by ministers to sign up to a pledge to help tackle child poverty.

The 'London Pledge' calls on services that deal with children and families to play a greater role in helping to raise incomes and cut poverty.

Launching the pledge on Tuesday MP Stephen Timms said more could be done to support families and "break the cycle of deprivation".

According to government figures 400,000 children in London live in poverty.

'Historic challenge'

The London Pledge challenges organisations such as jobcentres, schools and children's centres to work to a series of "realistic and achievable" actions.

These include reducing unnecessary bureaucracy to give parents the help they need and getting ideas from children and parents to shape services and promoting family-friendly working practices.

Government figures show child poverty in London has fallen by less than any other region in the UK.

In inner London 31% of children live in poverty, 9% above the national average.

Employment and Welfare Reform minister Stephen Timms said: "Child poverty is not acceptable, and it is not inevitable.

"We are challenging all these partners to recognise that ending child poverty is their business, and to commit to playing their part in this historic challenge."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
London Child Poverty Commission
Department for Work and Pensions
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