child poverty action group presentation to lespn 19 march 2013

www.cpag.org.uk

Child poverty and parents’ employment in London

Kate Bell

London Campaign Co-ordinator

Kbell@cpag.org.uk

Why are children in London poor?

• London has the highest rate of child poverty of any English region, with as many poor children as in Scotland and Wales put together.

• Thirty-seven per cent (592,000) of all children in London live below the poverty line.

• London Child Poverty Commission (2008):

• The underlying causes of this entrenched child poverty are surprisingly simple – the employment rate among parents, in particular mothers, is much lower than elsewhere in the country, driven in part by a lack of part-time jobs and flexible childcare, as well as higher housing, childcare and living costs.

What has been happening to child poverty rates in London?

What’s been happening to parental employment rates?

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Worklessness among couple households with children 1986-2012

Inner Lon

Outer Lon

S East

What’s been happening to parental employment rates?

• .

What’s the size of the parental employment gap in London?

Employment rates in London (%) 2011

Why are parental employment rates still low?

• Cost of childcare 24 per cent higher in London.

• Low levels of part time jobs – key lacks are in administrative and secretarial occupations.

• No London premium at lower end of Labour market – makes part time work difficult.

• No dedicated cross London parental employment scheme.

• (Work programme performing poorly for lone parents – 2.5 per cent job outcomes for LPs (3 per cent in London) compared to 3.5 per cent for all participants)

What can Local Authorities do on employment?

• Lead by example: advertise all vacancies as available for part time and flexible working.

• Use community benefit clauses within procurement arrangements to ensure that companies offer (flexible) jobs to local residents.

• Consider developing targeted employment programmes for parents (cf Islington, Newham)

• Introduce specific targets on parental employment in child poverty strategies.

• Prioritise childcare – working with Camden to investigate options for LAs.

What could regional government do?

• Prioritise parents within London Skills and Employment Plan.

• Consider using ESF funding on parental employment programmes – in partnership with local authorities?

• Part time jobs pledge

• Part time travel card?