xxxx

London may be the richest portion of the United Kingdom, however, despite giving 36% more per head to the economy more than any other region of the country, the poverty in the capital city continues to increase. Like any urban area in the United States, in London, while it may be the richest area of the United Kingdom, it also has the highest proportion of families the the bottom tenth of income earners.

One of the largest independent charitable foundations in the United Kingdom, The City Parochial Foundation, has discovered the extent and effects of poverty in London. Once the cost of housing was taken into account, the actual poverty rate rose a lot in the capital city. Nearly two-fifths of children below the age of 18, 25% of adults between 18 and 65 and a fifth of those over the age of 65 all live at a income level below the poverty level.

Throughout the European Union and the United Kingdom, incomes are below the poverty line are considered to be “low” if they are lower than 60% of the median for that year. The number of kids from lower income families in London has continued to increase since the 1990′s and nearly half of the children in low income families have parents with a steady job. Outer London has incurred the most increase in poverty and inner London has decreased at the same rate. Ten years ago, the numbers were even between inner and outer London.

Nearly 25% of those who are of working age in London currently come from impoverished households, which is higher than the national average of 17% of households. So, as many as 1 in every 5 working age adults in the UK currently lives in London.

During the 2001 census, over crowding was 4 times higher in London than other regions in the United Kingdom. Nearly all other inner London areas had a larger percentage of over crowding compared to the outer London areas. The problem arose from unaffordable property prices and a desire to work and be closer to jobs.

It is also quite expensive to live anywhere near London, if you have even ever gone to visit or looked into visiting the capital city of the United Kingdom. During an economic downturn, many who are in the capital have found themselves further and further in debt. Londoners’ have found themselves in more debt because of the higher costs of living as opposed to other regions of the country. It is a double edged sword because while it may be seen as a more influential portion of the county, in reality, it is becoming more and more impoverished.

I would consider London sort of like our Los Angeles. Both cities were once seen as the most influential areas in the county, however, after the economic downturn, they both have turned into some of the more impoverished areas in both countries due to housing prices and low employment numbers.

I wish the best for both areas, and in all areas of both countries….and all countries. However, inflated numbers and property values eventually have to fall to where they belong.

Jeremy

View all posts by Jeremy
Jeremys website