Poverty and Lambeth

During 2007, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that inequality in the UK was higher than it had been for forty years and that rich and poor were living geographically separate lives. More

Financial poverty continues to be a feature of our common life affecting many people.

Our principal benefactor, Edmund Walcot, left his charitable legacy for the relief of those living in poverty, in North Lambeth, in the late 17th century. The 'shape' of poverty today is different, but remains real for many of our fellow citizens.

The Lambeth Endowed Charities are especially interested in proposals which make a sustainable difference to the lives of Lambeth citizens experiencing financial need, particularly proposals which help people move out of the 'poverty trap'. We are more interested in 'hand-ups' than in 'hand-outs'.

Financial poverty - Lambeth

  • Lambeth is ranked 23 out of 354 local authorities in England in levels of deprivation (where 1 is most deprived)
  • 11 out of Lambeth's 177 super output areas (SOAs - small geographical areas of 1,500 people) are within the top 5% of all London SOAs for income deprivation
  • Lambeth ranks 8 out of 376 local authorities in England and Wales for the number of unemployed 16-74 year olds (1 being the highest - source: ONS)
  • 79% of Lambeth's SOAs are ranked within the 30% most deprived in England and some of Lambeth's Wards are within the 5% most deprived in the country

Other aspects of social inequality

  • Children in Lambeth are more likely to live in poverty
  • Infant mortality in Lambeth remains higher than national averages
  • Life expectancy for men in Lambeth is below the national average
  • Teenage pregnancy rates in Lambeth are amongst the highest in England

Sources: Office of National Statistics, London Borough of Lambeth Council,
Lambeth PCT