NB: Child poverty 21% in Barnet, 37% in Camden.

Reacting to figures released this week that show child poverty stands at 21% in Barnet and 37% in Camden, AM Poppy, Green Party London Assembly candidate for the area, said:

“I was shocked to hear such high numbers of children are living in poverty, often in supposedly affluent areas.

“Isn’t the problem that their parents are in poverty? Isn’t it time to start rewarding women’s work properly? Work outside the home, and work at home too. Recognising women’s work is way overdue. And so is paying for it properly.”

Green Party Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones said: “These shocking figures reflect the damaging policies of Westminster and the misplaced priorities of our Mayor. The people of London deserve better.

“Public sector cuts have taken away part of the capital’s safety net for those struggling financially and increased the strain on families struggling to stay afloat. Many of the parents of these children are in work but don’t earn enough to ensure a high standard of living.

“Boris Johnson is a banker’s Mayor who has done much to protect the interests of his wealthy friends but very little for children facing an uncertain future.

“In contrast Green Assembly Members have been behind the introduction of the London Living Wage and are now pushing for 10:1 maximum pay ratio—starting with City Hall—to help reduce excessive pay and reduce poverty across the capital.”

The figures can be found here.

Notes:

1. Photos of Green Party candidates, including Mayoral candidate Jenny Jones, can be found here.
2. A list of Green Party London policies can be found here.
3. A full list of Green Party candidates for the London Assembly elections can be found here.
4. A list of achievements by the Green Party in the London Assembly can be found here.
5. The Green Party of England and Wales promotes the policies of ecological sustainability, a fairer more stable economy, a more equal society, a higher standard of democracy and accountability of politicians to the communities they serve, and social justice on the global level as well as in our own country.
6. Caroline Lucas became the UK’s first Green MP in the 2010 General Election.
7. The Green Party is now the largest party on Brighton and Hove Council.