Three-year plan to fight child poverty in deprived East End

24 April 2009

TOWN Hall chiefs are tackling child poverty in one of Britain’s most deprived areas with a three-year Children & Young People’s Plan launched today in London’s East End.

They want to improve family life by the time East London stages the 2012 Olympics.

The plan approved by Tower Hamlets council focuses on healthier food on lunch menus in schools and children’s centres, as well as helping parents get jobs.

“We have serious challenges such as child poverty to overcome,” said Cllr Clair Hawkins, council cabinet member for Children’s Services at Tower Hamlets. “But we are committed to making sure every child can grow up healthily, happily and safely.”

FAMILIES UNHAPPY

Public consultations are under way with families who have been unhappy with any elements of children’s services in the past, the council admits.

There will also be consultation with youngsters on issues such as the Olympics.

The council, meanwhile, also plans to rename its Children’s Services to the ‘Directorate of Children, Schools and Families’—in line with the Government department in Whitehall.