A new Poverty Commission has been launched in Lewisham, looking to examine and tackle poverty facing people in the borough.
The first meeting, which took place on Monday, February 27, brings local councillors, campaigners, academics and local representatives together.
Chaired by Councillor Joe Dromey, the commission will discuss the issues and publish a final report to the Mayor, Steve Bullock. The report, to be released in the autumn should have ideas and recommendations for cutting poverty.
Great 1st meeting of the #LewishamPovertyCommission this eve, looking at how poverty blightslives of tens of thousands of ppl in Lewisham
— Joe Dromey (@Joe_Dromey) February 27, 2017
The Poverty Commission consists of Councillor Dromey, The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Trust for London, Goldsmiths, University of London, Child Poverty Action Group, Lewisham Citizens, New Local Government Network, Lewisham cabinet members and backbench councillors.
Dromey said: “Lewisham is a great place to live, with a strong and vibrant community. But poverty still blights the lives of tens of thousands of our residents, holding them back, and preventing them from achieving their potential.
“We’ll be looking to develop innovative policy responses that can make a real difference, even in these difficult times.”
The first meeting of the Poverty Commission comes in the wake of large government cuts to benefits.
