Hundreds of organisations across London raised their collective voice this month for a poverty free city against a backdrop of spiralling prices. The fifth London Challenge Poverty Week shone a light on issues that have never felt more important, such as in-work poverty and the benefits system, and spotlighted organisations that are fighting inequality every day. We look back at some of the highlights from the week.
At the start of the week, we launched a new data tool on London’s Poverty Profile to allow you to download a snapshot of the key poverty data in your borough.
The profiles of each borough pull out stats around areas including housing, work and health to highlight the unique drivers of poverty and the ways it is experienced in different parts of the city. We hope that they can be used by policy makers and influencers that need fast access to key stats on local areas when campaigning for change.
Just before the week kicked off, the Commission on Social Security held an event to build support for a fairer social security system. Here's what Ellen Morrison, Chair of the Commission, had to say:
The current benefits system is failing and it needs a major updating, a major overhaul, not just tweaks. The commission has come up with a plan for a decent social security system… it’s the most comprehensive blueprint that we’ve got for a progressive and transformative way forward that exists. For the plan to have any chance of success it needs other organisations and people supporting it, and working together.
You can read a summary of the event on the Disability News Service.
To keep this momentum going, the Commission will now be hosting an event on how to talk effectively about social security, alongside On Road Media, taking place on 21 November. Book your place now.
This year, Anti-Slavery Day coincided with London Challenge Poverty Week, taking place on Tuesday 18 October. A new report by Anti-Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit found that a crumbling legal aid system is leaving survivors of modern slavery at increased risk of destitution.
Meanwhile, the Voice of Domestic Workers held a panel discussion in parliament, hosted by Jess Phillips MP, to raise awareness. One of the members of the Voice of Domestic Workers, Saharah, told us her story.
Barking and Dagenham Youth Dance released a new video called ‘It’s Always Darkest before the Dawn’, exploring knife and gang crime and its relation to poverty. Watch it below.
Solace have more than 100 children living in their refuges. For London Challenge Poverty Week, they worked with these families to create art inspired by London. Take a look at the online exhibition here.
Hundreds of activities took place over the course of London Challenge Poverty Week. To explore the week in more detail or to get involved next year, visit the London Challenge Poverty Week website.
24 October 2022.