LVSC & Trust for London call for Government to close inequality gap
The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) and Trust for London are calling on Government and their partners to do more work to close London's inequality gap. At their Closing the Gap: Inequality in London conference on 23rd November, a number of prominent academics and practitioners will show how London is probably the most inequal city in the world, and will call for greater activity to tackle these inequalities. Sarah Teather, MP, Minister of State in the Department of Education, will set out the Government's position.
The conference, which marks LVSC's centenary, will also see the launch of a 'guide to inequality' in London with an introduction from Mayor of London Boris Johnson.
Key data shows the dramatic disparities in wealth and income in London:
• 1 in 5 Londoners earn less than a living wage, which is £7.85;
• in inner London 20% of the population have 60% of the total income;
• the worst-off of the richest 10% of people in London have wealth which is 273 times greater than that held by the best-off of the poorest 10% of Londoners.
The conference and guide will look at this data in more depth, its knock-on effects and voluntary and community action to tackle these inequalities.
Bharat Mehta, Chief Executive of Trust for London says "We are pleased to partner with LVSC for its centenary event. The more we can do to highlight the widening gap between wealth and poverty and the issues this gap raises for society, the better, so that action can be taken to start addressing them."
Peter Lewis, CEO of LVSC, says "We are delighted to have brought together this conference and guide with Trust for London. Every policy-maker, decision-maker and practitioner in London should take note of the data, and incorporate tackling it in their work. It is regrettable that the government has decided to drop the socio-economic duty on public authorities when our data shows how inequal London is. We are asking government at all levels to ensure London is a less inequal place in 5 years time".
Editors notes
• Contact information for images and interviews:
Mariam Sheikh, Communication Officer
T: 020 3349 8905 E: mariam@lvsc.org.uk
• The London Voluntary Service Council (LVSC) is a strategic and independent voice for London's voluntary and community sector. LVSC's vision is of a vibrant and sustainable city where the lives of Londoners are enhanced through voluntary and community action. www.lvsc.org.uk
• Trust for London is one of the largest independent charitable foundations in London, providing grants to the voluntary and community sector. It aims to enable and empower Londoners to tackle poverty and inequality, and their root causes. Established in 1891 it was formerly known as City Parochial Foundation. www.trustforlondon.org.uk
• Embargoed PDF of Inequality guide to London is attached - not to be published before 23/11/10.