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London mayor, Boris Johnson, has joined forces with Whitehall departments to target a significant reduction in child poverty across the capital. Mr Johnson met children's minister, Beverley Hughes, and financial secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms, last week to discuss tackling embedded poverty in areas of London. Following the discussion, which was also attended by London Councils chairman, Merrick Cockell, the Government announced a new target to raise the number of employed parents in London by 3% by 2013. The target forms part of the London Child Poverty Pledge. More than 31% of children in London live in poverty, with boroughs such as Tower Hamlets and Newham particularly affected. Labour ministers have long believed the most effective way to tackle poverty is through employment, rather than a heavier reliance on welfare. But Whitehall and councils must implement employment programmes which are sufficiently flexible to allow parents on low incomes to balance work and childcare responsibilities. The slow roll out of free care for all children by 2010 – a central government pledge – is adding to problems. Mr Johnson said: ‘Child poverty is a curse. We all have a part to play and however tough the economic climate, we cannot compromise on this. But the main responsibility lies with central government, and I urge it… to follow through its commitments to address this issue with the clarity and urgency it demands.' Minister for London, Tony McNulty, said signing the pledge was a ‘massive step forward in tackling this challenge'. Under the plan, Whitehall and London's leaders will aim to raise the maternal part-time employment rate, encourage wider take-up of tax credits by eligible families, and speed up the roll out of free childcare places.

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Boris joins ministers in fight to reduce child poverty in capital

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