Charles Smith, Chair of Pimlico and St James’s Branch, has written to Councillor Nicola Aiken in her role as Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Community Protection at Westminster City Council, to ask how the Council proposes to mitigate and reverse the negative effects of the Coalition’s policies on young people and families living in Westminster.

Cameron’s cuts are punishing children and families. A recent independent study carried out by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has shown that families and children are suffering under Government tax and benefit changes.

Coalition cuts mean:

• A couple with two children will be £1,250 a year worse off by 2015
• Non-working lone parents lose more than 12% of their income on average – equivalent to £2,000 a year
• Poverty rates for children from certain ethnic minorities will increase by more than 5% by 2015-16

The research also forecasts that 500,000 families with children under five will fall into absolute poverty by 2015-16, with most coming from households where the youngest child is under five.

The study paints a devastating picture for families across the country, as the full extent of the cuts are due to set in.

How you can help local families and children

Do you know of children’s services being cut locally? Do you share the local Party’s concerns about families and children in Westminster suffering the brunt of the Coalition’s cuts? If so, please contact Charles Smith at pimlicoandstjamesblp.chair@gmail.com

Your contribution will help us fight against Cameron’s disregard for families and children.