A new poverty profile of London shows much hardship
Trust for London have released a new report, using the latest official data, to show the extent of poverty and inequality in the capital. It looks at how London compares to other English regions and cities, and the differences between London boroughs.
Here are the key findings:
- There are over one million Londoners now living in low income families, where at least one adult is working. This is a 60% increase over the last decade.
Housing
- Taking account of housing costs, the poverty rate in London is 28%, compared to 22% in the rest of England, and the gap has grown in the last decade.
- 220,000 households live in overcrowded accommodation, 60,000 more than a decade ago with most of this increase in the private rented sector.
- Housing benefit changes mean that many parts of Inner London, particularly the Inner West, may become unaffordable for low-income families renting privately
Unemployment
- The number of unemployed Londoners is now above 400,000, the highest number since 1996, and the rate is rising more quickly than the national average.
- The unemployment rate among young people is at its highest level for nearly 20 years (23%) and is still rising. Despite, on average, being better qualified than other young people in the rest of England, young Londoners are more likely to be unemployed.
Children
- Poor children in London are more likely to lack everyday items than their counterparts outside London, with 60% of children in low-income families unable to afford a week’s holiday away from home.
Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support
