A London for every child: Reversing the city’s declining child population

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has launched its report - A London for every child: Reversing the city’s declining child population – setting out steps for the Mayor to make London a more child-friendly city.

Families in London face serious financial and practical barriers, including the cost of childcare and housing. For families who stay in the capital, they are often faced with new housing developments that are designed to discourage children playing in their community, or unwelcoming attitudes from neighbours or the authorities.

The declining number of children is having a notable effect on London’s school system. Schools with falling roll numbers are facing increasing financial pressure since their funding is provided on a per-pupil basis. In recent years, this has resulted in a rise in the number of schools in London that have closed or merged due to falling pupil numbers.

Key recommendations in the report include:

• London should seek to become a UNICEF Child Friendly City. The Mayor should identify the steps required for London to achieve this recognition and pursue actions that enable him to do so.
• The Mayor should include specific requirements for homes suitable for children across all types of tenure in the next London Plan. These requirements should be included in the draft London Plan, which is due to be published in 2026.
• The Greater London Authority (GLA) should develop a map of all the spaces in London that children and young people can access for play and informal recreation. This would help boroughs identify where they have a deficit or surplus of provision and support cross-borough collaboration.