Tonight:
5°c
London is demeaned by the poverty that blights families in the capital, Gordon Brown admitted today.
But it will take a generation to solve, the Prime Minister admitted as he responded to the Evening Standard's campaign to highlight the scandal.
Mr Brown was proud of progress made during Labour's 12 years in office. But he admitted answers were years away. “Poverty demeans a great city like London,” he wrote. “There is much further to go, because the causes of poverty are often deep-rooted and will take a generation to turn around.”
The leaders of all three major political parties had their say today on the issues raised by our reports, which led to a call to arms by Prince William.
We put Mr Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg on the spot to explain why so much poverty still exists and to say exactly what improvements they could pledge to deliver within five years if they win the general election.
Conservative leader Mr Cameron said Labour's record showed that government could not cure poverty alone. “By unleashing a new wave of volunteering, together we can make sure far fewer people get left behind,” he said. Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg claimed that within five years he could give tax cuts to the poor, create more jobs and cut housing waiting lists by using empty properties.
Mr Brown said he had given extra money and services to poor families through new children's centres, tax credits and the minimum wage.
Rough sleeping on the street had halved between 1998 and 2009, and the first priority after the election would be creating jobs.
Today's unique discussion about poverty by the party leaders is effectively the first three-way leaders' debate of the general election.
As part of our week-long series on The Dispossessed, we today reveal how a 39-year-old mother of four was left homeless with her children after social services told her there was “nothing” they could do to help.
A former gangster also tells how severe deprivation in south London is fuelling violent crime among schoolchildren.
Lox Lokko, 17, who has seen four friends die during turf wars, said: “Rich people don't join gangs. You think that's the only way to be successful, the only way to get respect.”
Meanwhile, mother Ade, from Lagos in Nigeria, describes how she begged social services in south London for a place to sleep and tells how she was forced to sleep in a hair salon: “There is nothing we can do. Be grateful you have the salon,” a social worker told her.
What will you do to tackle the scandal of poverty in London if you win election?
Gordon Brown: Tax credits and minimum wage have eased problem
Why are so many people still in poverty?
Poverty demeans a great city like London. Londoners will remember the experience of the Eighties and Nineties when child poverty in our country doubled.
You should be proud of the progress we have made — tax credits and the national minimum wage have helped half a million children escape poverty nationally. To give children the best start in life 450,000 under-fives now benefit from London's children's centres — services which help mums and dads go out to work. But there is much further to go, because the causes of poverty are often deep-rooted and will take a generation to turn around. That's why we need to have a children's centre in every community — and the last thing we should do is cut them for families on modest incomes, as the Tories threaten.
Can poverty be ended in London?
We can create opportunity for all in London. Back in 1998, rough sleeping in England was double the level that it was in 2009.
Street homelessness remains an issue, but the progress we have made shows what is possible when government works with voluntary groups. While just an example, it indicates the real difference that working together can achieve. But there is a real threat that we could go backwards if the Tories got their way. George Osborne's plans would mean cutting child tax credits, child trust funds and Sure Start for families in London on modest incomes — at the same time as they pledge a tax giveaway to millionaires. That would take us backwards on poverty and it is fundamentally unfair.
Give three ways that you will tackle the problem
There are three key ways to tackle poverty, and on each of them there is a big choice between the two parties. I believe that our first priority must be jobs. Our Future Jobs Fund is creating up to 110,000 jobs nationwide with nearly 7,500 in London and we are committed to returning the capital to full employment.
Second, education and skills. London schools' results have massively improved but we will go further with the best schools increasingly taking over weaker schools to drive up standards. We are also continuing to boost apprenticeships — which had almost died out a decade ago.
Thirdly, there are tax credits which boost family incomes — with 718,000 families benefiting in London alone. I cannot understand why George Osborne wants to scrap child trust funds for families on just £16,000 a year and to cut back on tax credits.
What real difference can you make for the Dispossessed within five years?
The Child Poverty Bill will enshrine in law our commitment to eradicate child poverty by 2020. It will place legal obligations on both national and local government. To ensure progress, our ministerial working group on child poverty in London has also committed to the Child Poverty Pledge, which will boost the numbers of parents in work, particularly mothers in part-time work, and the take up of Child Tax Credits by working families.
David Cameron: We've got to tackle family breakdown and poor schooling
Why are so many people still in poverty?
Because we haven't dealt with the root causes of poverty. We've got to get to grips with those things like poor schooling, family breakdown and people stuck year after year on welfare which are pushing so many people into poverty and keeping them there. To change things we've got to focus on three key types of reform: schools, families, and welfare.
Can poverty be ended in London?
Yes. And as the response to the Standard's campaign has shown, this isn't just about what government needs to do — this is something we need to do together.
Give three ways that you will tackle the problem
First, we'd stop government making things worse. At the moment, if you're a single mother with two kids earning £150 a week, the withdrawal of benefits and the additional taxes means that for every extra pound you earn, you keep just four pence. That's effectively a 96 per cent marginal tax rate on the lowest paid in this country. What kind of a crazy signal is that?
Second, because almost half of all London pupils don't get five good GCSEs, including English and Maths, we'll drive up standards in schools by giving teachers more power to restore discipline, and by introducing a Pupil Premium so there's an incentive for the best schools to take on the poorest kids. We will break open the state's monopoly allowing new, small schools to be set up.
And third, we'd support families by ending the couple penalty in the tax credits system which pays couples more benefits to live apart, helping to lift thousands of children out of poverty in London and across Britain.
What real difference can you make for the Dispossessed within five years?
You really can deliver higher standards in schools so more children will have the skills they need. You really can have a more pro-family, pro-commitment approach.
You really can improve welfare so we get people out of entrenched, deep poverty and into work. And it's not just for government — by unleashing a new wave of volunteering, together we can make sure that far fewer people get left behind.
Nick Clegg: Get people out to work and make sure that work pays
Why are so many people still in poverty?
The tax and benefits system should make it easy to get on, but it doesn't. Overall, the poorest people pay the highest proportion of their income in tax. If you're poor and trying to get on, the way the benefits system works means as much as 90p of every pound you earn disappears in tax and lost benefits.
Can poverty be ended in London?
Yes, but we have to do things differently to make that possible. In the short term we need to get people out to work and make sure work pays. That's non-negotiable. Once it's done, you can tackle the underlying problems: bad schools where children don't get a fair start, bad housing leading to health problems, and crime.
Give three ways that you will tackle the problem
We will lift four million people out of income tax and cut taxes by £700 for millions more, funded by closing loopholes that benefit the wealthiest. We will cut class sizes by investing £2.5 billion extra in schools, targeted at those on free school meals. And we will tax bank profits and stop paying tax credits to the top 20 per cent of claimants, freeing money to create 100,000 jobs.
What real difference can you make for the Dispossessed within five years?
We can put money in their pockets with tax cuts, give their children hope with a better education, and get hundreds of thousands out to work. And we can get people off the housing waiting list by bringing empty properties back into use — just think how many empty homes you've seen around London that could be a family home.
Reader views (34)
@Steve, Brentford - people from Scotland are Scottish. Scotch only refers to whisky.
And to the other knockers of the Scots, I suggest you embark on some fact finding - you may actually discover that, per head, we pay more into the public pot than the majority of people in England when it comes to rates. Besides which, you weren't complaining when Mrs T. used us to test out the Poll Tax, or when she was bleeding us dry in general, were you? She created poverty in Scotland when she decimated Scottish industry.
However, it's typical of people in the south-east to want to guard their troughs - most have never been north of Birmingham.
- Jock, Glasgow, 05/03/2010 11:31
Report abuse
This Labour government in all its arrogance thought it would solve the world's problems by importing large numbers of the poverty stricken here. Naturally, most opted to stay in London and not go into any dispersal programmes which were vaguely set up.
Like the invasion of Iraq, there was no follow up, planning or infra structure for the sheer numbers who have come. Mass migration here has been mismanaged on a scarcely credible scale. It badly let down the people coming here as well as angry and put upon Londoners. Young guys who've made London their home now feel excluded and alienated, some will inevitably become willing recruits for any groups with anti British agendas.
Job cuts will create higher dissatisfaction all round. Empty headed MPs saw only dirt poor people arriving and not highly motivated people from around the world who have borrowed enormous sums of money to be trafficked here. If they don't work, they're trapped and can't return to their own countries. They owe too much to traffickers back home and their families are collateral for any debts left unpaid. Caught between a rock and a hard place, they're recruitment fodder for all the criminal gangs operating from London. Lax borders have created a shameful poverty mess for everyone.
Deep levels of poverty are going to be around in London for decades to come. With it the increasing levels of street gang power and all the violence that follows poverty stricken conditions and hopelessness.
- Annie, London, 05/03/2010 10:34
Report abuse
Joan Withers, are you serious?
You say "first we need to raise taxes to end poverty..." We've supposedly been trying to "end poverty" for the last sixty years! ...And a great deal of poverty - at least in London - is imported, so the solution's obvious, isn't it?
"lets raise taxes for the needy". Who are the "needy"? People who choose to have a dozen kids? So whose fault it that, and why should the taxpayer foot the bill?
- Croyboy, Croydon, 05/03/2010 09:19
Report abuse
Another pledge Gordon? your pledges are as good as B'liars, just a ghost of an idea that will never materialise.
- Thorrun, Brentwood,UK, 05/03/2010 05:06
Report abuse
This old school Liberal wants the Evening Standard to speak and cry out the truth from our London church tops. London has some of the poorest people in the UK who need to be given hope and respect. Lets have some truth. It is Liberal policies on education and training, housing and environment that will make the difference.
I want to see a higher tax threshold to take poor workers out of the tax system and 10% rate back. I would end student fees and bring back (yes) Grammer schools as they allowed the poor to rise via education. Lets give those suffering hope and faith there are those who love them, even though they have never met them.
- Andrew, London, 05/03/2010 00:42
Report abuse
We are not interested in what Gordon Brown is going to do for this country. He had his chance and has totally blown it and should be ashamed of himself.
Nobody needs to be poor and helpless in a welfare state with proper controls.
We are a bankrupt nation,resorted to printing money without any gold reserves.
What have got to show for this 13 years:
Involvement in two wars costing us billions.
MP's scandalous expenses
British Jobs for foreign workers.
Unemployment rate still very high
Ayslum seekers living in 5 star luxury
Our Banking system bailed out without any controls
Our base rate at 0.5% but mortgage rates much higher
Businesses going into liquidation as no help offered.
Houses being repossessed everyday.
Britain cosidered by everyone as a soft touch.
Immigration policy in chaos (needs controls).
Education system has created social gaps for the future
Deterent for further education due to high fees
Transport system unable to cope with demand
Human Right's Act needs to be addresed for Justice
Can go on and on,there is no single remedy but a multiciplity of actions not just talks that is required for any future government.
LET IT NOT BE LABOUR--IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE
Labour's policy of "FAIR FOR ALL"
is more like "SCARE FOR ALL"
- Dan, London, 04/03/2010 23:23
Report abuse
Call the Election Brown,you gutless,useless Scot.
- Mark A, Warrington, 04/03/2010 22:04
Report abuse
It will take Gordon Brown years to fix because he doesn't know how to fix it. The sooner Gordon Brown leave office the better. You little one eye undecisive egotistc man. You are the worst PM we undeservedly ever had. The people want you to go. Sorry, you only got one eye. THE PEOPLE WANT YOU TO GO!!! Hope that is better.
- Max, London, 04/03/2010 21:39
Report abuse
Brown will only want to pour more taxpayers money towards people who do not seen to understand what contraception is. If you are unskilled and never likely to earn £60K plus, then why have more children that you can afford? Minimum wage was one of the few good policies of new Labour, but poverty will not be reduced if the poor are so passive and lacking in responsibility.
- Peter, London, 04/03/2010 17:08
Report abuse
How about Gordan, David & Co wander down to the poorest areas of London, via the public transport that they are so vigoursly 'improving' and actually communicate with the sector of the community they are all so enthusiastic to help. I believe this is called 'primary evidence,' and something which many of our delusional MPs could benefit from.
- Kelly, London, 04/03/2010 17:06
Report abuse
"It will take a generation to solve".
Yes, Gordo, like it's taken a generation of your interference, tax-raising and muddled policies to cause the problem.
I think we'll ask someone else, if that's OK with you.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, the Scottish one, 04/03/2010 16:55
Report abuse
Poverty demeans London Gordon? Not as much as your God forsaken leadership demeans a once great Britain!
- Alan, Chigwell., 04/03/2010 16:53
Report abuse
Gordo robs London and the South-East to pay his friends in Scotland and the North.
He CREATES poverty in London by taking away our money and giving it to others.
- Anglo, Sussex UK, 04/03/2010 16:32
Report abuse
The article adjacent to this is headlined "Tony Blair's memoirs to earn him £5 million" Makes you think doesn't it?
- Alan Carmichael, Glasgow, Scotland, 04/03/2010 15:44
Report abuse
Bandwagon Brown rides again. I wish this odious opportunist would shut up and call an election. Every problem we have today is due to him - he was a useless chancellor and is proving to be even less effective as PM.
- Adam, London, 04/03/2010 15:42
Report abuse
gordon and his labour spin machine for years have taken londons wealth to scotland and wales to fund the scot and welsh assemblies. whilst piling taxes on to the londoner .just people cant be bothered to vote for a change. i will be voting far right just to see harman and all the cronies squirm on election night
- Howard Penn, london, 04/03/2010 15:40
Report abuse
This buffoon has no shame, no conscience and coming into the General Election, NO HOPE!
- Luther Van Dross, Great Yarmouth, 04/03/2010 15:40
Report abuse
It is Gordon Brown who demeans London's working population through artificially induced inflation. He impoverishes those of us who are expected to pay the benefits for the baby machines described by the ES. Not much longer Gordo, as those of us with enough sense and money will be leaving this sorry 3rd world nation in the near future, leaving you behind with Mervyn's money-printing press and a population of benefit recipients and religious nutters.
- Alex, Fulham, 04/03/2010 15:37
Report abuse
Nice of Mr Gordon to care so much. But wasn't he the one who removed the 10 per cent tax rate for the lowest paid and doubled it so they were taxed at 20 per cent. Done for purely political advantage (or so he thought until it backfired on him) and without a good goddam for the poor. What a crocodile-teared hypocrite!
- Js, London, 04/03/2010 15:07
Report abuse
labour is a fair party we have plenty of freedoms in this country we need to build more social housing i wanna move closer to the central as boris may scrap the free travel soon im worried to be honest .we need to tax a bit more for those who work labour have improved tings you can see the difference dont waste your vote peace
- Amit, london hampstead, 04/03/2010 14:44
Report abuse
Labour are convinced more and more benefits are the answer, whereas they are actually the problem, trapping people in a workless dependency culture. The Tories don't care about these people, despite their crocodile tears. They never did anything for them in all the 18 years in power and sure as hell won't do anything when they are more concerned about pandering to rich men like Ashcroft.
Taking the poor out of tax is the best way to give them the incentive to work.
- Robert C, London UK, 04/03/2010 14:38
Report abuse
gordon is right man the rich need to dig deep and share the wealth a bit my council house s in dire straits needs a nice coat of paint i would work but hey id lose my council house innit im not soo stupid labour are the only party for the needy
- Leroy Decker, hackney, 04/03/2010 14:38
Report abuse
as a hardcore labour supporter i truely believe gordon needs to be given a chance . first we need to raise taxes to end poverty a special childrens immigration tax needs to be introduced which will house these desperate people . we all know britain owes this to these people for all the problems and hurt we have caused over the years .and as a apology for the slavery which never must be forgotten lets raise taxes for the needy only one man can do this gordon fight for the kids gordon
- Joan Withers, london, 04/03/2010 14:34
Report abuse
Right next to this article on the thisislondon.co.uk site there's the news about Blair about to get GBP 5 for his memoirs. Don't look any further if you need ideas how to spend the cash, Mr Blair ....
- Barbara Geier, London, UK, 04/03/2010 14:20
Report abuse
Try getting Mr Darling to exclude 'Foreign Aid' from his various sums - that might add a little to the kitty.....
- Andy Woodhead, London, ENGLAND, 04/03/2010 14:09
Report abuse
I am blown away,Nick Clegg actually gets it right,so I apologise for putting him down over the past 2 years.A lot of working people are in poverty here in London,due to high living costs.Boris Johnsons 20% TAX on public transport should have been stoped by Cameron ,Brown or Clegg as minimum wage workers cannot afford to get to work.Politicians will all say how terrible this is,but none will do anything to rectify the problems these workers face.Poverty for those not working,needs to be addressed by the goverment of the day.
- Dave, london, 04/03/2010 13:52
Report abuse
Why would anyone want to listen to any of these proven dis-credited MP's is beyond me. What do they know about the real world when they say, "do as I say and not as I do."
- Max, London, England, 04/03/2010 13:47
Report abuse
Gordon could start bt tearing up the Barnet formula and giving London back the billions that go to his Scotch mates/voters. He could also restore the 10% tax band but of course he won't as his wrecking crew need those votes and don't think like that anyway.
- Steve, Brentford, 04/03/2010 13:41
Report abuse
"Poverty demeans London" Gordon Brown
Well why did you increase the rate of tax from 10% to 20% for those with the lowest incomes?
“There is much further to go, because the causes of poverty are often deep-rooted and will take a generation to turn around.” Gordon Brown
You have had almost a generation in power already, what have you done?
The Labour party that once backed the working class is now gone. Labour turned there backs on their principles years ago… in-fact I have no idea what they stand for now? They are definitely not a part I would ever consider voting for…
- Paul B, London, 04/03/2010 13:29
Report abuse
Nothing like flogging a dead horse is there.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 04/03/2010 13:26
Report abuse
After 13 years of a Labour Government it is dreadful that these conditions still exist to the extent that they do not only in London but in most cities throughout the UK.
The sooner Brown calls the election the better.
- John, Glasgow Scotland, 04/03/2010 13:20
Report abuse
thank you Evening Standard for your brave expose 'The Disposessed'... it is very bad but worse than what we think. As a charity worker in East London I can only praise volunteer groups like 'The London Coalition Against Poverty' who picketed Hackney Council's HPU last year with some positive results, insofar as the dire treatment dished out to those who were looking for assistance lessened notably, a more client-centered approach was introduced.
There are many wonderful legal companies like Fisher Meredith from the Oval who advocate on behave of the dispossessed. They deserve recognition for their consistent work on the margins ...
The government and local councils contribute massively to the poverty in London by their relentless stupidity, selfishness and contempt for Londonders who are not rich or privileged. None of them deserve any credit as they haven't got a clue as to how to make things better. They only make things worse. We need an independent public inquiry into the poverty of London, that would be an excellent beginning.
Well done again, keep up the great work. Charity certainly does begin at home.
- David Joseph, Hackney, London, 04/03/2010 13:11
Report abuse
Cannot see what all the fuss is about. We still have enough money to pay for the Olympics so obviously Brown's lot have got their priorities right. Or not!!
- Frederick, London, 04/03/2010 13:09
Report abuse
Gordan Brown has no business speaking about this considering his party continues to import poverty into the UK, most of which end up in London, the so called melting pot.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 04/03/2010 13:08
Report abuse
