The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched a new £2.2 million programme to support low-income families across the capital, helping them access financial support they are entitled to but not currently claiming. The initiative, called the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, is expected to assist more than 17,500 families and unlock up to £8 million in unclaimed benefits in its first year.
The programme will provide free, independent advice on benefits, housing, childcare, immigration, disability, and employment. Support will be delivered across 12 London boroughs through Best Start Family Hubs and Children’s Centres, in partnership with London Citizens Advice and the London Legal Support Trust.
The scheme forms part of the Mayor’s ongoing work to tackle child poverty and cost-of-living pressures in the capital. Data shows that over one in three children in London, roughly 700,000, live in poverty after housing costs. Over the past three years, income maximisation campaigns and advice services led by the Mayor have helped more than 130,000 Londoners claim over £94 million in financial support, although more than £4 billion in benefits remain unclaimed across the city.
Cllr Edison Huynh, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Lewisham Council, said: “Family Hubs are a vital part of the infrastructure Lewisham have put in place to support our families. They offer a wide range of services including pre- and post-natal care for families with children aged between 0 and 19 (and up to 25 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) but are also able to signpost families to services which support with financial advice, parenting, emotional wellbeing, youth provision and other services.”
Cllr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, added: “Too many Londoners are struggling to get by each month, and we know that those pressures fall hardest on single parents, families with disabled members and families from ethnic minority backgrounds. By funding the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, we are strengthening the support available to parents and carers in places where they already turn for help.”
Nezahat Cihan, CEO of London Legal Support Trust, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, fostering collaboration between local authorities, specialist and generalist advice organisations across 12 London boroughs, thanks to GLA funding. Through a new partnership approach of placing advisors in Family Hubs and family related settings, we aim to create a more integrated service that ensures families receive support in accessible, and familiar settings.”
Jonathan Mogford, Chair of London Citizens Advice, commented: “Across London boroughs, local Citizens Advice are key partners with Family Hubs. Citizens Advice has deep and trusted links into the diverse communities in London impacted by hardship and other problems, so we are delighted to work with the GLA to embed and link our services to Family Hub settings, strengthening the support available to families with children/young people.”
The programme builds on the Mayor’s wider initiatives, including funding free school meals, the Holiday Hope programme for children and young people during school holidays, and protection of free and discounted travel for children and young people. These measures aim to relieve cost-of-living pressures, improve health and wellbeing, and ensure all children in London have access to essential services.
