Coalition Government cuts to child tax credit result in yet more children thrown into poverty.
Shocking statistics provided by the Campaign to End Child Poverty show that nearly 60% of children living in poverty have at least one parent who works, compounding the belief that too many jobs in the UK are poorly paid.
Tower Hamlets has the highest percentage of children living in poverty in London (almost half) with other London boroughs including Islington, Camden and Hackney also having a high proportion of children living in poverty. This means that their family's income generally falls below 60% of the average income of 25%.
The government appears again unable to deal with poverty levels in some of the most deprived areas of the country. The commitment of the government to help children in these areas will be brought into question as cuts are likely to make many families as much as £1,250 a year worse off by 2015. Britain continues to be socially segregated with the "life chances of millions of children damaged by poverty and inequality'' claims campaign executive director Alison Garnham. (1)
"Public sector cuts have taken away part of the capital's safety net for those struggling financially and increased the strain on families struggling to stay afloat. Many of the parents of these children are in work but don't earn enough to ensure a high standard of living." Says Jenny Jones, Green Party London Assembly Member
Notes to Editors:
1) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-16483257