Sat, 18 Oct 2025

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 Families being priced out of London, Assembly told

There has been a drop in birth rates and the number of children living in London, experts say.

* London is experiencing a decline in births, with a 20% drop in the number of babies born in 2023 compared to 2012.
* The sharpest decline was seen in inner London, where many families are being priced out due to rising costs and a lack of social housing.
* Child poverty campaigner Katherine Hill urged Mayor Sadiq Khan to make London a "child-friendly city" with affordable housing and childcare options.
* Experts pointed to the high cost of childcare as another major factor contributing to the decline, with parents paying an average of £184.96 for 50 hours of childcare in inner London.
* The availability of public green spaces for children to play is also a concern, with many areas lacking suitable spaces.
* The decline in births has led to the closure of primary schools, with a predicted 3.6% decrease in reception pupil numbers over the next four years.
* Mayor Khan's office acknowledged the challenges facing families but argued that London's population had "always fluctuated" and that the mayor was doing everything possible to support families with the cost of living.
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