Race on the Agenda (Winter 2007) Agenda 30

Child poverty among London's BAME communities

Knife and gun crime in London

Contents

1. Editorial
   Dinah Cox Chief Executive, ROTA
2. Knife and Gun Crime in London
   Joshua Kerry, BBP Project Worker, ROTA
3. Child Poverty Among London's BAME Communities
   Hilary McCollum, London Councils
4. Capacitybuilders
   Jill Walsh, London Regional Co-ordinator, Capacitybuilders
5. A Path to employment for BAME communities
   Bal McVeigh, PATH National
6. Merton's BAME Strategic Plan 2006-09
   Patricia Anderson, Merton Unity Network
7. Slavery: 2007 and beyond
   Ruth Fisher, Cultural Co-ordinator, MLA London
8. Including the Excluded for 'Social Inclusion'
   Carlene Firmin, BBP Project Leader

Child poverty among London's BAME communities

Hilary McCollum, London Councils

In 1999 the Government made a commitment to halve child poverty levels in Britain by 2010 and to eradicate it entirely by 2020. Nowhere is this target more challenging than in London. Despite being the most prosperous region in Europe, London also has shockingly high levels of child poverty (defined as living in a household which has a disposable income below 60% of the median income). After housing costs are taken into account, London has the highest rate of child poverty in Great Britain, with 39% of London children living in poverty, compared with 28% nationally (DWP,March 2006).

While poverty has fallen nationally, in London there has been little improvement in child poverty levels since 2000.Yet 620,000 jobs have been created in the capital in the last 10 years ...

Knife and Gun Crime in London

Joshua Kerry, BBP Project Worker ROTA

What role can human rights play in the prevention of gun and knife crime amongst young people?

The 'knife and gun culture' that is rooted in the capital is the result of complex sociological, economical, and psychological factors mostly associated with an increasing lack of respect for other people's rights and indeed lives. Awareness, education, information and advice are the key areas that need to be looked at along with a more trustworthy, effective criminal justice system. The adoption of a human rights agenda within youth work and the education system can help encourage young people to take responsibility for...