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TOWER HAMLETS Council has marked Challenge Poverty Week (12-18th October) by “shining a spotlight” on the wide range of support services it has in place to help residents with the cost of living.
The Council has an ongoing commitment to tackle poverty and reduce inequality in Tower Hamlets. It runs schemes which help residents with every days costs – such as food and energy bills – as well as offering general advice, help with employment issues and help with family finance.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman
Mayor Lutfur Rahman explained why this work is important to him and the Council. “Poverty affects every aspect of people’s lives, from health and education to employment and housing,” he said. “Challenge Poverty Week is an important opportunity to raise awareness, but it is also a reminder that action matters.
“We are investing in support that puts money back into residents’ pockets today, while taking meaningful steps to tackle the underlying causes of poverty for the future. Whether that’s free school meals, support with school uniform costs and Council Tax or tackling overcrowding we are determined to ensure residents can access the help they need and the opportunities they deserve.”
The Mayor is being modest. There are many other ways in which he has decided to help residents study, train and start their own businesses.
The Council points out that Tower Hamlets is the fourth most deprived (that’s a posh way of saying “poorest”) borough in London. The Mayor has set up an Anti-Poverty Taskforce to make a difference. The Taskforce has started its work by researching the causes of “deprivation” (“poverty”) in Tower Hamlets. It will use its findings to develop a strategy.
Cllr Maium Talukdar
Deputy Mayor Cllr Maium Talukdar is the Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality and the Cost of Living. “We know that behind every statistic is a person or family trying to make ends meet,” he said. “That’s why we’re focused on providing practical support that helps residents now, while making sure no one misses out on help, they may be entitled to. Our Anti-Poverty Taskforce is helping us build a clearer picture of the barriers residents face so we can tackle inequality at its roots and deliver lasting improvements in people’s lives.”
Having had his say, the Deputy Mayor left the Town Hall, rolled his sleeves up, and went to help out at the Borough’s Food Hub.
●For more information on how the Council is supporting residents and to apply for help, go to:
Cost of Living
●Read more about it:
Mayor Lutfur Rahman expands support for cost of living
Mayor Lutfur Rahman offers help with Council Tax
