Tower Hamlets’ teenage pregnancy rates have dropped by more than 45 per cent since 1998, according to new figures. New data, released by the Office for National Statistics, show that pregnancy rates among 15-17 year-olds in the borough have seen a steady decline the last decade although the proportion of…
Police have stepped up patrols in Sydenham after two recent incidents involving young children in the area led to fears that a serial child abductor was at large School officers and Safe Neighbourhood Teams have increased patrols in some parts of the area and have reassured parents they are working…
As the last tune plays out, the fluttering of dozens of girls’ hearts almost drown out the applause and cheers erupting from the crowd. The room on the top floor at Ritzys in Brixton is hot and crowded and it’s obvious that most of the audience is secretly disappointed…
Today is the world’s first International Day of Happiness. Created by the UN to recognise happiness as a global human goal, this day gives us all a chance to reflect over what makes us happy in life. ELL went out and asked the people in Lewisham, Tower Hamlets, Croydon and Hackney: What…
St. Mary’s Secret Garden is in full bloom after receiving an award of £91,000 to train 48 young people with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. The community-driven garden project, located in the middle of Hackney, has promoted the importance of urban green spaces for more than 25 years. City…
Tomatoes from Italy, apples from Chile and broccoli from Spain, all spotless and carefully wrapped in plastic as if freshly picked a couple of hours ago. They may look and sound very appealing, but the fact that the average tomato travels more than 1800 miles to reach London is not…
Joshua Peck, Labour Councillor for Bow West, is a very busy man: “Is it ok if I squeeze you in, when going from one meeting to another?” The first time I met him he was weeding public flowerbeds at St Matthews Church Yard. But now his life is about…
Looking for a place to eat, do some last minute Christmas grocery shopping or get in a festive pint? It’s not too late to go out- not everything is closed on December 25, and ELL has got the rundown of the best pubs, restaurants and shops open on Christmas Day.…
Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of pine needles, so much so that Christmas trees have avoided the clutches of the recession, according to experts. Kelty Kaston, owner of The Christmas Forest, which has 7 branches throughout the capital including one in Stoke Newington, says that sales of trees…
Gafacake: 
Sarah Brown:
Transport for London is taking my bank account for a ride
It’s the first day back at uni, and I am late. While running towards the train station, I fish the £78 for my monthly travel ticket out of the wallet. At the ticket machine I desperately start pressing the buttons while holding my Oyster Card to the touchpad. But what’s…
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