LONDON, United Kingdom — Despite being one of the world’s largest and most economically successful cities, London, England is no stranger to poverty.
Since the beginning of this century, the rate of poverty in London has climbed noticeably. In the first ten years of the century, the number of Londoners experiencing in-work poverty increased by 440,000.
A study last year by the New Policy Institute stated that 28 percent of London residents live in poverty.
The United Kingdom’s definition of poverty is earning a household income that is less than 60 percent of the year’s median income. Because of the living costs associated with city life, Londoners are familiar with spending substantially higher amounts on basic expenses in comparison to the rest of the country.
Yet education, specifically at the school age level, has improved over the years. Compared to the rest of England, London has seen the fastest improvement across all demographics.
However, following the economic recession seven years ago, unemployment and part-time employees seeking full-time employment rose substantially.
Two groups that have experienced the highest amounts of poverty are the city’s ethnic minorities and children.
Because London is seen as an increasingly multicultural location, poverty levels are often attributed to the rise of ethnic minorities throughout the city. Such minorities, considered to be groups other than the “white British,” have seen their populations rise dramatically in recent decades. As housing in London is twice as high as the average in the rest of the country, new immigrants and residents of London struggle to secure adequate and affordable housing.
In addition to the ethnic minority groups of the city, poverty in London also takes young Londoners as its victims.
Even though common belief suggests that children need particular attention and adult motivation to succeed, thus alleviating their futures of poverty, new research suggests otherwise.
Following findings presented at the British Educational Research Association last fall, it may be more beneficial for politicians to focus on providing children with adequate academic and professional support rather than placing an emphasis upon increasing childhood aspirations. The Association’s findings suggest that, unlike popular belief, children typically maintain high goals and aspirations regardless of their economic or social standings.
Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of London’s children live in poverty. While these children may not grow up to be poor, their futures are at risk of being impaired by poverty’s myriad effects on psychological well-being, physical health and education.
A 2008 report by the London Child Poverty Commission noted that childhood poverty is primarily caused by low employment rates among parents as well as high housing, childcare and living costs.
On average, childcare and housing costs are 23 and 50 percent higher than the average throughout the country, respectively.
According to Hannah Aldridge, one of the authors of last year’s New Policy Institute study, the poor who inhabit the city lead lives “which are hidden from the view by the extraordinary images conjured up by the Shard and the City.”
– Ethan Safran
Sources: London’s Poverty Profile, BBC News, Greater London Authority, King’s College London, Child Poverty Action Group, Living Wage Foundation
Photo: UC Davis