The Government's proposed child poverty unit must focus on London, according to the capital's town hall leaders. Work and pensions secretary, Peter Hain, reaffirmed the Government's commitment to halving the number of children in poverty by 2010 while announcing a new child poverty unit to co-ordinate efforts across all departments. But London Councils, representing all 33 of the capital's boroughs, said although this was a step in the right direction, efforts must be concentrated on the city. London City Poverty Commission chairwoman, Carey Oppenheim, said: ‘If the Government really wants to make a difference, the new unit must address the severity of child poverty in London and provide increased investment to help us meet the target to halve child poverty by 2010. ‘The capital has the highest rate of child poverty in the country, and it is here that a co-ordinated and focused approach can really make a difference.' Around 24% of London children live in workless households compared with 19% nationally, and 68% of children living in social housing are in poverty compared with 58% nationally.
