Government is ‘ignoring suburban deprivation problems’

8:20am Saturday 16th February 2008

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One in four children in Hendon live in a household reliant on benefit payments, according to Government figures released this week.

The constituency's figure of 26 per cent is six per cent higher than the national average, leading Barnet Conservatives to call for greater investment for infrastructure and housing in the poorer regions.

Brian Coleman, London Assembly member for Barnet, said: "This is a huge indictment on this Government. And what is the MP doing about it? I would have thought Mr Andrew Dismore could have delivered a little more in ten years.

"Burnt Oak is one of the poorest wards in London, but despite these serious enclaves of poverty, we constantly get screwed for funding by the Government.

"We need more investment for infrastructure in Burnt Oak, and more opportunities for development. The Government is ignoring problems of suburban deprivation. If people live in decent flats, they have a very different outlook on life."

But councillor Barry Rawlings, Labour spokesman for education and children, said that figures had improved over the past ten years. He added that Hendon's high percentage was "no surprise" because of its social make-up and the number of children who live there.

He said: "Being on benefits does not make you a bad parent. What it means is that the council should spend more money in these areas and ensure there is a good outreach scheme up and running.

"It should be used as a means to direct council policy, not as a political ping-pong."