[UK] Poverty Trap

from IC The Wharf

EAST London must be a priority for the Mayor in his role as learning and skills boss, says London Assembly member John Biggs.

Mr Biggs, who represents east London and is a Wharf columnist, urged Ken Livingstone to help people in the area tackle poverty by giving them access to the skills and knowledge they need.

Speaking during a debate at City Hall, he said a family of four in east London needs at least £14,000 a year to avoid "the border line of poverty" but added that many find that is beyond their reach.

"A living wage - estimated to be at least £16,000 a year - was difficult for many east Londoners and risks becoming out of reach over the next six years when almost half of all jobs will require qualifications," he said.

"Local people must have access to the training needed to access decent well-paid jobs - otherwise they and their children will be consigned to a life of relative poverty.

"I want people of Tower Hamlets to aspire to the top jobs at Canary Wharf and not settle for low skill, low wage ones."

The new learning and skills council will start work in September.