About the dataset

This dataset uses information from the DWP benefit system to provide estimates of children living in poverty for wards in London. In order to be counted in this dataset, a family must have claimed Child Benefit and at least one other household benefit (Universal Credit, tax credits or Housing Benefit) during the year. The numbers are calibrated to the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) dataset used to provide the government's headline poverty statistics. The definition of relative low income is living in a household with equivalised* income before housing costs (BHC) below 60% of contemporary national median income. The income measure includes contributions from earnings, state support and pensions.

Further detail on the estimates of dependent children living in relative low income, including alternative geographical breakdowns and additional variables, such as age of children, family type and work status are available from DWP's statistical tabulation tool Stat-Xplore. Minor adjustments to the data have been applied to guard against the identification of individual claimants.

This dataset replaced the DWP children in out-of-work benefit households and HMRC children in low income families local measure releases.

This dataset includes estimates for all wards in London of numbers of dependent children living in relative low income families for each financial year from 2014/15 to the latest available (2022/23). The figures for the latest year are provisional and are subject to minor revision when the next dataset is released by DWP.

Headlines

Number of children

The number of dependent children living in relative low income across London, rose from below 310,000 in the financial year ending 2015 to over 420,000 in the financial year ending 2020, but has decreased since then to below 350,000, which is well below the number for financial year ending 2018. While many wards in London have followed a similar pattern, the numbers of children in low income families in some wards have fallen more sharply, while the numbers in other wards have continued to grow.

Proportion of children in each London ward

Ward population sizes vary across London, the age profile of that population also varies and both the size and make-up of the population can change over time, so in order to make more meaningful comparisons between wards or over time, DWP have also published rates, though see note below regarding caution when using these figures.

A dependent child is anyone aged under 16; or aged 16 to 19 in full-time non-advanced education or in unwaged government training. Ward level estimates for the total number of dependent children are not available, so percentages cannot be derived. Ward level estimates for the percentage of children under 16 living in low income families are usually published by DWP but, in its latest release, ward-level population estimates were not available at the time, so no rates were published. To derive the rates in this dataset, the GLA has used the ONS's latest ward-level population estimates (official statistics in development). Percentages for 2021/22 are calculated using the 2021 mid year estimates, while percentages for 2022/23 are calculated using the 2022 mid year estimates. As these are official statistics in development, rates therefore need to be treated with some caution.

Notes

*equivalised income is adjusted for household size and composition in order to compare living standards between households of different types.

Claimant Count by sex for Westminster Parliamentary constituencies and regions in the UK, published monthly. These are official statistics in development.

This work looks at in-work poverty in London between 1996 and 2023. It provides an overview of the links between working-age poverty and employment participation at the individual and household levels in the capital. Some key findings include: Poverty has changed. There are now more people in poverty in London who are in a working family than in a workless family. The reverse was true 30 years ago. Insecure forms of work such as part-time work and self-employment are linked to poverty. Ethnic minority workers and those with no educational qualifications are most likely to be working and in poverty. Working families with three or more children have seen their poverty rate increase sharply since the introduction of the two-child benefit cap on Universal Credit. Single parents have a high likelihood of in-work poverty, though the number of people in work and in poverty has also risen sharply among Londoners living as a couple.

Philippines Credit Card Receivables: Universal Banks(UB): Bank Proper data was reported at 203.021 PHP bn in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 190.970 PHP bn for Mar 2018. Philippines Credit Card Receivables: Universal Banks(UB): Bank Proper data is updated quarterly, averaging 116.974 PHP bn from Mar 2008 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 203.021 PHP bn in Jun 2018 and a record low of 56.283 PHP bn in Mar 2008. Philippines Credit Card Receivables: Universal Banks(UB): Bank Proper data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.KB004: Loans: Credit Card Receivables.

Philippines Loans: Allowance For Credit Losses: Universal & Commercial Banks data was reported at 159.597 PHP bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 145.835 PHP bn for Dec 2017. Philippines Loans: Allowance For Credit Losses: Universal & Commercial Banks data is updated quarterly, averaging 127.487 PHP bn from Mar 2008 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 159.597 PHP bn in Mar 2018 and a record low of 86.597 PHP bn in Jun 2009. Philippines Loans: Allowance For Credit Losses: Universal & Commercial Banks data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.KB059: Performance Indicator: Philippine Banking System: Quarterly.

If you’re a senior with low income, you may qualify for monthly Guaranteed Annual Income System payments.

Maximum payment and allowable private income amounts for the period from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 are:

• $90 monthly for single seniors (maximum monthly payment amount), your annual private income must be less than $4,320
• $180 monthly for senior couples (maximum monthly payment amount), your annual private income must be less than $8,640

The data is organized by private income levels. GAINS payments are provided on top of the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments you may receive from the federal government.

Learn more about the Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System

This data is related to The Retirement Income System in Canada

Join the Ontario Ministry of Finance for a free webinar to help you learn about tax credits, benefits, and other programs available to support Ontario seniors with a low income. Visit ontario.ca/TaxTalk to learn more.

UCB: Extraordinary Credits data was reported at 16.276 PHP bn in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.756 PHP bn for Jun 2018. UCB: Extraordinary Credits data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.996 PHP bn from Mar 2008 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.424 PHP bn in Dec 2017 and a record low of 1.577 PHP bn in Mar 2008. UCB: Extraordinary Credits data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Philippines – Table PH.KB064: Income Statement: Universal and Commercial Banks.