The final report in this series from the London Child Poverty Commission,  “Captial Gains”, summarises findings on the challenge facing London in tackling child poverty and sets out the Commission’s thorough range of recommendations, based on two years of research and consultation.

The recommendations include: 

• tougher targets for Jobcentre Plus, matched by the necessary resources, to get more London parents into work
• increased child tax credits and child benefit, alongside making work pay for families
• employers leading the way by offering flexible working opportunities, in-work training for parents starting on the bottom rung of the ladder and tackling issues of discrimination to ensure that all have equal access to jobs
•  local authorities driving change at local level, welding together children’s services, housing, economic development and regeneration to address family poverty
• increased funding per pupil based on deprivation to ease the transition from primary to secondary school – the point at which children from lower-income families start to fall behind their better-off classmates - as well as greater support for children in the early years and in extended schools.

Welcoming the release of the London Child Poverty Commission report London Councils Chairman, Councillor Merrick Cockell, has made a commitment that London Councils will be going through the report in detail to see how best we can make a difference on the ground. I would urge central and regional government to back us with the support and resources we need to really make a difference.”