Child poverty in London

Children in London are more likely to grow up in poverty than children elsewhere in the UK. In fact, 37% of London's children (that's 700,000 children) live in poverty after housing costs are taken into account. London has the highest rate of child poverty of any English region, and there are as many poor children in London as in all of Scotland and Wales.

Trust for London has funded CPAG's London Campaign Manager post for three years to work across the voluntary sector and with politicians at local, regional, and national level, towards a London where no child experiences poverty. To find out more about our work get in touch with Alice Woudhuysen: [email protected]

Read key facts about child poverty in London

Briefings and reports

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"I want my voice to be heard": What London families want from their local councillors

London is one of the greatest and richest cities in the world. But for too many Londoners and their children, proximity to the city’s affluence does not mean sharing in this wealth – adequate employment, affordable housing and fit-for-purpose childcare are often out of reach. In fact, after accounting for housing costs, London has the highest rate of child poverty of any region in the UK. We asked our London Calling panel what they want their councillors to prioritise. They highlighted five main themes: childcare, free school meals, housing, children’s activities and community engagement.

London Calling: "Stretched too far"

This report pulls together the views and experiences shared by parents and young people in the capital during the first year of the London Calling project. It looks at the key barriers to a good quality of life for children and families living on a low income in London in 2021, examines the effect of the pandemic on these barriers, and sets out what CPAG’s panel of low-income parents in London want the future to look like for themselves and their families.

Childcare Coronavirus Costs and spending Education Report UK Universal credit London

The Cost of a Child in London

This report draws on evidence from studies of minimum household costs in London to comment on the size of differences in children’s costs in various categories. This analysis builds on new research on a ‘Minimum Income Standard for London’.

Child poverty in London Childcare Costs and spending Housing Report UK Work and pay London

News and blogs

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London Calling: stretched too far - webinar

08 October 2021

This London Challenge Poverty Week (11 – 15 October 2021), Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) will launch a briefing on the experiences of low-income families in London during the Covid-19 pandemic, covering the first year of the charity’s London Calling project.

News UK London

The Cost of a Child in London: help with childcare fees ‘woefully inadequate’

10 June 2021

High childcare costs and failure to uprate support are putting full-time jobs beyond the reach of low-earning London parents who don’t have anyone to provide free childcare, a new report warns. And a growing number of even part-time jobs won’t make work pay for hard-up Londoners with young children if caps on childcare support in Universal Credit remain frozen while childcare costs continue to rise.

Benefit levels Child poverty in London Childcare Press release Universal credit London

Joint response from CPAG and Age UK London to TfL funding deal

01 November 2020

In response to the new Government funding agreement with TfL, Child Poverty Action Group and Age UK London said: “This is a fantastic victory for young and older Londoners, who made a powerful case for why holding on to free travel is so important. It’s right that children can get to school safely, and older people and families don’t have to worry about additional costs at this time of great financial uncertainty."

Child poverty in London Coronavirus Costs and spending Press release UK London

London Child Poverty Alliance

Child Poverty Action Group provide the secretariat for the London Child Poverty Alliance. The LCPA is a coalition of charities committed to tackling the high levels of poverty in the capital.

Family Friendly London - Manifesto for the next Mayor of London (2016)
Response to the Child Poverty Strategy Consultation
Ten Ideas for Local Authorities Before the 2014 local elections, the alliance produced 10 actions councils could take to support families and reduce poverty

We are grateful to Trust for London for funding our London campaign.

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