The horrifying reality that 1 in 4 children live in poverty with London having the highest poverty rates.

The London Borough of Havering is classified as being one of the top five most affluent boroughs in London. Yet, the sad reality is that there are many children still living in poverty and struggling to eat.

Figures show that 28% 2.5 million, in London live in poverty compared the rest of the UK that sees 22%. Over 14 million people in the UK are living in poverty, that includes 3.6 million children. Between April 2021 and March 2022 Trussell Trust food banks distributed over 2.1 million emergency food parcels to people in need. The horrifying reality is that 1 in 4 children live in poverty and that is set to worsen with this current cost of living crisis.

We have seen government members knock food banks, say its a myth that they are used, try and dispel the reality that people who are in work, are using food banks. We have been told by MP’s that we should be working longer hours or get better paid jobs to deal with the cost of living crisis. How much longer do people need to work to make ends meet?

Public sector workers, whose work is probably one of the most vital in our communities are regular users of food banks. Just how is that acceptable? Nurses, fire fighters, police officers, the list goes on of those who find themselves in need of help.

We have seen the rises in inflation and the lack of rises in people’s wages which makes this as usual, a no win situation for the working class.

London is showcased as one of the most prestigious capital’s of the world, but the stark reality is that poverty is rife and children are going to school hungry. The change in conditions for free school meals means that many parents on low incomes are not always eligible for them and then struggle to provide lunch for their child. Children’s meals can now cost £20 a week per child, double that or triple it and that is a huge chunk out of a parent’s income.

With our current set up politically, the pressures families face are increasing as energy bills soar. These issues have to be addressed urgently and families must now be supported instead of told to work long hours or find better paid jobs by those who have never stood in a supermarket and had to make a choice between which item to buy as they could not afford both-reality.