This study (May 2021, Loughborough University Centre for Research in Social Policy) summarises estimates of child poverty after housing costs in England 2014/15-2019/20. Lambeth (our 'area of benefit') comes 8th, with 42.6% of children in households below 60% median incomes after housing costs in 2019/2020. This is above the London average of 38% and the UK average of 31%. See the report here.

"Despite living in a global city with a level of economic performance to be proud of, many Londoners struggle to make ends meet, secure good quality affordable housing, or tie down the decent work they need to lift themselves above the poverty line. As a result, poverty is higher in London than in any other region or country in the UK. Across a wide range of indicators, there is a gulf in outcomes between Londoners on low incomes and those who are better off, both in the capital and across the rest of the UK." More

We were concerned when Lambeth Law Centre closed suddenly and unexpectedly in July 2019. That event, and conversations with its former Chair and with the remaining three Lambeth providers, have made us worried about this sector's vulnerability. The advice sector has suffered unpredictable and reduced funding for years. The collapse of the Lambeth Law Centre illustrated the vulnerability of the sector. Once gone, these valuable expressions of professional skill, volunteerism and help for disadvantaged communities cannot easily be re-established. We are in discussion with various parties about ways of making the position more secure.

An Advice Services Alliance research project, commissioned by the GLA, recently published this report, Advising Londoners in July 2020.