New research on youth homelessness in the capital “paints a grim picture”, London Councils has said.

The research found that more young people could be sleeping rough than official statistics suggest. More than a quarter of those surveyed (28%) had slept rough in London but were not recorded in official data.

It also established that the most common type of housing young people had left before becoming homeless was asylum accommodation.

Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “It’s vital that homelessness support reflects all Londoners’ needs. Young people experiencing homelessness face particular challenges, and boroughs can use this data and insight to shape their strategies and the services they offer."

Councils are calling for major financial reforms – but it’s not yet certain they’ll avoid further funding cuts.

187 upper tier local authorities in the UK were surveyed, and findings showed that despite making £3bn in savings this financial year, these are still facing a shortfall of more than £5.7bn by 2026-27.

London’s 33 boroughs, for example, are collectively expecting an overspend of £600m this financial year – set to increase to £700m in 2025-26.

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By - elections took place in Ealing on 10 October.

Jonathan Mark Oxley, Liberal Democrat candidate has been elected as a councillor for the Hanger Hill ward.

Dominic Henry Theo Moffitt, Labour Party candidate has been elected as a councillor for the Northolt Mandeville ward.

Katie Lynn Douglas, Labour Party candidate has been elected as a councillor for the South Acton ward.

This week is the 7^th annual annual London Challenge Poverty Week, coordinated by 4in10 London’s Child Poverty Network. You can find a list of events and activities throughout the week here.