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Tackling child poverty in Newham
By Aaron Barbour | August 6, 2008
The London Borough of Newham Overview & Scrutiny Commission on tackling child poverty recently launched their final report. We at linksUK were commissioned to provide further evidence by interviewing local families living in poverty.
We presented the findings as case studies. The image here is from a poignant diary entry of one young person, aged nine, imagining what her birthday cake might look like.
Notable findings from the case studies show that:
All of the families struggle to pay for the basics including food and energy bills; some are living through periods of absolute poverty, for example, not having enough to eat.
All of the families interviewed have multiple, complex and interconnected issues each of which impacts on their immediate and future circumstances, contributing to a life lived in poverty. Poverty is not a simple issue. Some of the participants are working but remain in poverty; and some are working outside of the mainstream for cash-in-hand to provide for their families. (see our work on the informal economy)
Housing is an important issue for participants, who reported poor quality, cramped and damp accomodation, as well as poor service from the housing department. These issues are affecting residents health, employment and ability to move into work. (see linksUK’s ‘Housing Benefit in 2008’ evidence paper No.11)
All of the case studies point towards inconsistent and at times poor experiences of dealing with local and national statutory support services. (see linksUK’s report ‘Interact: benefits, tax credits and moving into work’)
Participants had good ideas and solutions about how to improve their own situation and local services. (see: linksUK’s Everyday Innovators programme)
All the people described in these case studies are likely to continue to live in poverty for years to come.
Later this year we will be publishing our own report on child poverty, as part of our forthcoming ‘Social Change Pamphlets’ series, subscribe to regular updates to be kept in touch.
Topics: Child Poverty |
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