On Tuesday, 7th September Brent Council’s Cabinet has given its full backing to the findings from the Brent Poverty Commission’s independent report, which was launched in August. The Commission, chaired by Lord Richard Best, delivered over 40 recommendations to tackle the causes and consequences of poverty in Brent.
According to the Commission 1 in 6 households (17%) live below poverty line, doubling (to 33%) after housing costs are taken into account. More than 1 in 5 (22%) of children live in poverty, doubling to a startling 43% after housing costs. The report points to an acute shortage of social housing which has forced people into the private rented sector where rents are two or even three times higher.
Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing & Welfare Reform at Brent Council, who commissioned the work said, “I’m so pleased that Cabinet have backed this report. We will now put our collective effort into how to take forward these recommendations. This includes continuing to work closely with our partners to identify how we’ll know we’re making a difference.”