Residents with experience of poverty to help create lasting solutions

In a London-first initiative, Islington Council is creating a “Poverty Truth Commission” – placing local people at the heart of decision-making, in recognition that those who understand poverty best are those who live it.

The commission will bring together 15 residents with lived experience of poverty, known as “Community Commissioners”, with “Civic and Business Commissioners” – senior leaders from public services, businesses, and community organisations.

Over two-and-a-half years, they’ll build relationships, share personal experiences, and develop a shared understanding of how poverty comes about in Islington – and will work together to suggest improvements to services and policies to help tackle it.

Despite its central location and economic strengths, Islington has some of the highest levels of inequality in the country. Nearly 43% of children live in poverty after housing costs - one of the highest rates in London.

The council is already taking action to resolve the situation – including helping more than 6,000 residents into work over the last four years, working to help secure more than £16.2m in unclaimed benefits for residents since April 2024, and offering one of the country’s most generous Council Tax Support Schemes.

However, there’s always more that can be done, and the launch of the Poverty Truth Commission is another step towards addressing poverty to create a more equal future, and to make it happen for Islington.

Cllr Una O’Halloran, Leader of Islington Council, said: “Islington is a vibrant and diverse borough, full of opportunity - but it’s also a place where too many people remain persistently stuck in poverty. 

“We are determined to do all that we can to tackle poverty, as part of our wider efforts to make it happen for Islington. With nearly half of our children growing up in poverty, and many older residents struggling to make ends meet, we cannot and will not accept this as inevitable.

“This Commission is not a traditional consultation - it’s a commitment to community power, deep listening, and collaborative change.

“We’re serious about building a fairer, more equal Islington - while we've already made huge progress, continuing that ambition involves hearing the truth and acting on it.”

The commission will be supported by the Poverty Truth Network - which has successfully supported similar initiatives in Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, and Trafford.

It is being delivered in partnership with Help on Your Doorstep, a local organisation that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Islington, especially those who are vulnerable and isolated. Help on Your Doorstep help 2,500 residents every year to access the financial and wellbeing support and services that they need.  

Andrew Grinnell, Co-Director of the Poverty Truth Network said: “It has been a privilege to witness the changes that are made when people who struggle against poverty build deep relationships with community and business leaders to re-imagine how we respond to poverty.

“We are excited to see the outcomes and support Islington Council and local partners as Islington hosts the first Poverty Truth Commission in London.” 

Ken Kanu, Chief Executive of Help on Your Doorstep, said: “Every day at Help on Your Doorstep we see the human cost of persistent financial hardship and the complexity people must navigate to move beyond it.

"This Commission is a rare opportunity to involve those with the deepest understanding of poverty in shaping effective solutions. We are proud to support that process in Islington.”

Notes to editors

Despite the often-lazy stereotype of affluence, Islington is the 53rd most deprived local authority in England, and the sixth most deprived in London.

In Islington, 43% of children are experience in poverty when housing costs are taken into account, significantly worse than the London average of 35%. Meanwhile, the borough ranks in the top 10% of local authorities nationally for income deprivation.

The council works tirelessly to support those experiencing hardship, including:

• Helping local people to claim more than £16.2m in additional income since April 2024, through the Income Maximisation Service.
• Running one of the country’s most generous Council Tax Support Schemes, with one in five households set to benefit in 2026/27 as part of a commitment of around £28m.
• Helping low-income and vulnerable households – including pensioners, disabled people, cares, care leavers, and those that are least financially resilient – to access support through the Household Support Fund.
• The fund also helps with issuing vouchers to parents and carers to meet the cost of meals during the school holidays for school-aged children and under-fives.
• Running an inhouse employment service, and the wider Islington Working Partnership, to help residents – particularly those facing the most significant challenges – move into work.