Matthew Wright reports on rising poverty rates, not least in trendy Bethnal Green.
In some parts of Tower Hamlets half the children are living in poverty, according to a joint charities’ report released last week.
Issued by End Child Poverty, a banner group linking leading charities, the report lists Bethnal Green and Bow as the most poverty-stricken areas, with very nearly half (49 per cent) of all children living in homes classified as below the poverty line. The survey also found a seven per cent increase in the number of local children living in poverty, year on year.
One of these areas, Bethnal Green, is also known for an influx of ‘cool’ businesses and hipster-style young professionals, now working cheek-by-jowl with old style poverty of Dickensian proportions.
‘These figures reveal just how widely and deeply child poverty reaches into our communities,’ said David Holmes, chair of End Child Poverty. ‘Poverty ruins childhoods and reduces life chances. Failing to invest properly in children is a false economy.’
Mayor of Tower Hamlets Luftur Rahman responded by saying that ‘supporting vulnerable children and their families is one of my top priorities and we continue to work with our partners in tackling child poverty.’
The mayor observed that ‘central government cuts’ have put more pressure on ‘our services to reach those who need them most.’ But his critics claim that Mayor Rahman has been citing central government in order to deflect complaints against his local administration.