Today (Friday 7 June) Enfield launched an independent commission to identify the causes of poverty in the borough and find ways of tackling it and improving residents’ quality of life.
It will work with communities to better understand the factors driving poverty and inequality in the borough and make recommendations to help people deal with the challenges it poses.
The Commission, titled ‘All Things Being Equal: Enfield Poverty and Inequality Commission’ launched at the Dugdale Centre in Enfield Town on Friday 7 June, and is chaired by Baroness Tyler of Enfield, a peer from the House of Lords who has a long track record of working in areas of social policy to help support vulnerable people.
Baroness Tyler said, “I am honoured to be chairing the Enfield Poverty and Inequality Commission. Listening to the different communities in Enfield will give us a better understanding of the challenges many people face and give us an opportunity to make recommendations which will support local people who need a helping hand to reach their full potential.”
Working alongside Baroness Tyler will be an expert panel of Commissioners from national and local organisations. These include senior representatives from the housing charity Shelter, 4in10 the London Child Poverty Network, a leading academic from London Southbank University, and regional representation from the TUC.
Expert local knowledge of the borough on the commission will be provided by senior representatives from the Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust, Citizens Advice Enfield, Enfield Carers Centre, Enfield Over 50’s Forum and Primary and Secondary Headteachers.
The Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan said, “This commission is a positive step in identifying and tackling the root causes of poverty and inequality in Enfield. It will not be an easy task, but it is a vital one and one that we are absolutely committed to solving.
“The commission will be talking to residents and seeking their views, so the panel can understand the challenges of living, learning and earning in this borough. I would urge residents to get in touch to tell their stories of what it is like to live with poverty in Enfield, to help support the work of the commission and help it come up with recommendations which enable us to tackle this vital issue.”
There will be opportunities for local people to engage with the Commission in various locations over the summer.
The work of the Commission Panel is due to run from June to November 2019, with a final report being published in December 2019.