London’s boroughs are joining forces to distribute food to the capital’s most vulnerable residents through local food hubs.

Each hub is stocked with food received from the London Food Alliance, formed of the capital’s three largest food redistribution charities, The Felix Project, FareShare and City Harvest, before it is delivered to local communities.

Teams of volunteers receive the food deliveries, package them into parcels and deliver them to the doors of vulnerable Londoners as well as to local foodbanks, charities and community centres.

London’s local authorities have already delivered more than 50,000 packages to the most vulnerable in the capital and responded to more than 65,000 additional requests for food aid, which includes food vouchers, financial support or signposting toward other food aid groups.

The Strategic Coordination Group (SCG), the body leading London’s response to the Covid-19 outbreak, is coordinating the programme alongside boroughs and the London Food Alliance.

Cllr Peter John OBE, Chair of London Councils, said:
“London boroughs and volunteers are working tirelessly to support their local communities and the pan-London network of food hubs is a crucial part of our response to the crisis.

“In the face of extreme pressures, London can be proud of this programme’s achievements and the support provided to vulnerable Londoners at this difficult time.”

London Councils has highlighted the critical need to reduce health inequalities in the capital, following the publication of the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which points to the disproportionate impact of Covid-19 on those from black, Asian or other minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds

Cllr Muhammed Butt, London Councils’ Executive Member for Welfare, Empowerment and Inclusion, said: “We’re extremely concerned by the emerging evidence of Covid-19’s disproportionate impact on BAME Londoners.

“Every coronavirus death is a tragedy involving individual factors that are often complex. But the ONS research points to an unmistakable trend – and these appalling figures highlight London’s longstanding health inequalities.

“Boroughs are working hard to protect all vulnerable Londoners during this hugely challenging time. We’re engaging closely with local community, faith and voluntary sector leaders to ensure that the specific needs of BAME Londoners are met.

“While boroughs are determined to address these inequalities, we need to see national policy changes on a range of issues – including investment in public health, housing, and welfare – that are essential for building a healthier and fairer London. The Covid-19 pandemic is a clear prompt for a shift in approach.”

The government has published guidance for councils on the reopening of Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) – where people can recycle larger household waste items. Councils had closed these facilities to reduce non-essential journeys in line with coronavirus social distancing guidance.

Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said: “London boroughs are making plans to reopen household waste and recycling centres as soon as possible, with the majority aiming to reopen sites this week.

“The safety of Londoners and borough workers is paramount, which is why HWRCs are unlikely to re-open at exactly the same time or run at full capacity due to social distancing guidelines and pressures on staff and local roads. Boroughs may also introduce new measures such as pre-booked timeslots or change opening times where necessary.

“We ask Londoners to help us keep these services running smoothly by only visiting a HWRC when it is absolutely essential, planning visits carefully by checking borough websites, practicing social distancing and good hygiene while on site and treating all HWRC workers with respect.”

With around 100,000 16 to 25 year-olds due to leave school or college and enter the jobs market this September, the Association of Colleges (AoC) is predicting that half of them may struggle to find meaningful employment as the economic shocks of Covid-19 continue to be felt.

AoC’s chief executive David Hughes is calling on Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson to deliver a new ‘September Promise’ guaranteeing access to high quality education or training places this autumn to every young person who wants one.

“We know from previous recessions that disadvantaged young people disproportionately suffer, not just in the immediate aftermath of an economic downturn, but often for the rest of their lives", he said. "A ‘September Promise’ of high quality education and training would reduce the risk of long term economic scarring, and make sure that businesses have the skilled workforce needed to facilitate economic growth."

Bartlett School of Planning are conducting a survey to understand how well, or poorly, the design of our homes and neighbourhoods have been supporting us during the period of lockdown and how we should be designing or adapting our homes and their environments for everyday life in the future.

The survey has been developed by University College London (UCL), Urban Design London, Good Homes Alliance and Place Alliance, supported by the Town and Country Planning Association and Civic Trust.

If you'd like to take part, you can find the survey here.