It’s about ensuring they are supported to thrive and take advantage of the many opportunities London has to offer.
Yet too many young Londoners still face challenges such as poverty, poor housing and poor mental health.
Working with schools and nurseries, I have seen first-hand the benefits of increased investment from the London Mayor Sadiq Khan to improve the lives of children and their families.
Our Healthy Schools and Healthy Early Years programmes support schools to promote both physical and mental wellbeing, and we will soon pilot a new initiative with secondary schools to strengthen whole-school approaches to mental health.
Through the Mayor’s universal free school meals programme, every child in a state primary school now receives a free, nutritious lunch.
London’s Violence Reduction Unit is also doing vital preventative work with schools, helping to keep children and young people engaged in education.
We are tackling the environment around schools too through our School Streets and Schools Superzone projects, working with health partners in 13 boroughs, including Haringey, to create healthier, safer spaces.
Most recently, the Mayor announced the schools set to benefit from the Greener Schools initiative, which will reduce carbon emissions, saving energy and money, freeing up more resources for schools to spend in classrooms.
Joanne McCartney is working to ensure children and young people are engaged in education (Image: City Hall) This autumn, the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce will report back and reintroduce a national child poverty strategy.
I look forward to seeing that strategy and seeing what more London can do to support all our children.
Closer to home, it is great to see that Transport for London (TfL) has introduced a new 20mph speed limit along Archway Road and is working to install more cycle parking bays to help address the problem of dockless e-bikes obstructing pavements.
There is also good news for public transport users, with the 310 bus route being extended for a further 12 months to allow TfL to fully assess demand for this route.
By continuing to invest in our young people and our communities, we can help ensure that every child in London has the opportunity to succeed.
- Joanne McCartney is Labour London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey.