LONDON has more poverty than any region in the country, according to new research. Its poverty profile’ reveals the capital as the most deprived area, an independent report into poverty, inequality and social exclusion reveals. East London is among the worst of the worst for unemployment and bad health

By Mike Brooke

LONDON has more poverty than any region in the country, according to new research.

Its poverty profile’ reveals the capital as the most deprived area, an independent report into poverty, inequality and social exclusion reveals.

East London is among the worst of the worst for unemployment and bad health, the findings reveal, especially boroughs like Tower Hamlets and neighbouring Hackney and Newham, according to the City Parochial Foundation.

The profile’ launched at Shoreditch Town Hall in East London on May 19 gives a breakdown of low pay, benefit payments, low educational attainment, ill health and bad housing in each of the 32 boroughs.

BREAD LINE

A higher proportion of people of all ages live below the bread line than in any other part of Britain.

“London is one of the richest cities in the world—but faces a daunting mix of problems,” said Parochial Foundation’s chief executive Bharat Mehta.

“Behind the famous skylines and historic buildings lies a picture of widespread deprivation.

“Only the most determined effort will turn the tide of poverty facing the people of London.

PRIORITY

“The Government cannot get close to eliminating child poverty by 2020 unless it deals with London as a priority.

“Tackling London’s long-term problems of unemployment, social deprivation and low pay cannot wait until after the recession.”

But even London’s traditionally more affluent suburbs are getting hit, says the foundation. More of the low-income population now live in the leafier suburbs than the deprived inner districts.

The City Parochial Foundation is one of London’s largest independent charitable trusts, established in 1891 to tackling poverty in the capital.