Making London better for all children and young people - introduction

London is a young city, with more than one-fifth of the population under 18 - a higher proportion than in most other cities in Europe. But the city can be a difficult place for children and young people. In inner London, many children live in poverty. There aren't enough safe places to play, getting around can be difficult and expensive and London can be a dangerous place at times. Many people feel it is time to make London more child-friendly.

To help do this, the Mayor has drawn up a strategy for children and young people, Making London better for all children and young people. It covers all children from birth to 18. It is based on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and it includes:

supporting families - for example, by looking for ways to make childcare more affordable and tackling child poverty
making the city safer for children and young people - in particular, improving the safety of public transport and parks and play areas
making transport more affordable
making it easier to walk or cycle on London's streets
creating more places to play and improving those we have
encouraging museums, art galleries and other cultural organisations to be more welcoming to children

The Mayor is setting up a children's and young people's unit to make sure children's voices are heard in all areas, including planning and transport, and to ensure that the proposals in this strategy are taken forward.

Many children and young people gave their views on the strategy before it was completed - see Children's views.