Redbridge Council is intensifying its efforts to combat poverty through a newly adopted strategy and dedicated funding streams. The Strategy and Resources Policy Development Committee met on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, to review progress on initiatives aimed at eradicating child poverty and fostering financial resilience among residents.

A diverse group of people, including individuals of different ages, ethnicities, and abilities, are depicted in a stylized illustration.
A diverse group of people, including individuals of different ages, ethnicities, and abilities, are depicted in a stylized illustration.

The council's Anti-Poverty Strategy, which has a long-term goal of ensuring no area in Redbridge is classified as deprived by 2040, is being bolstered by collaborative efforts with internal teams and external organisations. The strategy aims to address areas that fall within the lowest 10 percent of the most deprived in the country, with Clementswood and Loxford identified as currently meeting this criterion.

Key initiatives include the distribution of funds through the Household Support Fund, which managed and distributed £3.46 million during the 2025/26 financial year. Additionally, £4.6 million has been secured for the Crisis and Resilience Fund over the next three years, amounting to £15 million, to replace the Household Support Fund and enable continued rapid support for families facing crisis and investment in long-term solutions. The Benefits Service has also been instrumental in securing unclaimed benefits for residents, generating nearly £1.3 million in income during the 2023/24 financial year. Beyond this, the Benefits Service conducts a wide variety of targeted campaigns to assist residents identified as vulnerable and in need of financial aid. These campaigns have focused on supporting the newly unemployed, residents across all rental sectors, disabled individuals or those living with disabled household members, unpaid carers, and pensioners who may qualify for Pension Credit. Other initiatives have provided access to additional resources, such as assistance with utility bills, social tariffs, free childcare, and debt management advice.

A significant development highlighted was the establishment of the Tackling Poverty Advisory Board. This board brings together representatives from the public, private, and voluntary sectors to enhance strategic direction, share best practices, and improve service coordination, particularly in addressing poverty amongst private renters who may become homeless. The outcomes have included enhanced strategic direction, sharing of best practices, and improved coordination of services.

Citizens Advice is running the face-to-face debt advice offer in the borough, working with 1,800 residents over the last year. Their support ranges from low-level debt advice to more complex interventions such as debt relief orders and bankruptcy. While they did not directly pay off debts, they successfully managed to get debts written off for residents, with interventions resulting in millions of pounds worth of debt being written off or supported by energy companies.

A smiling woman wearing headphones and a lanyard sits at a computer, representing customer service.
A smiling woman wearing headphones and a lanyard sits at a computer, representing customer service.

A smiling customer service representative wearing a headset and a lanyard from the London Borough of Redbridge, working at a computer.
A smiling customer service representative wearing a headset and a lanyard from the London Borough of Redbridge, working at a computer.

Looking ahead, the council welcomed the announcement of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which will provide three years of funding to replace the Household Support Fund, enabling continued rapid support for families facing crisis and investment in long-term solutions. The full details of the strategy and its progress can be found in the Tackling Poverty Outcome Report.

A diverse group of illustrated individuals representing community members.
A diverse group of illustrated individuals representing community members.

A diverse couple, one wearing a hijab and the other a t-shirt, both holding smartphones and wearing lanyards with identification cards, representing modern council engagement.
A diverse couple, one wearing a hijab and the other a t-shirt, both holding smartphones and wearing lanyards with identification cards, representing modern council engagement.

Collage of images showing a woman in construction attire, a CPR training session, and a group discussion around a table.
Collage of images showing a woman in construction attire, a CPR training session, and a group discussion around a table.

Two individuals are shown at a table with promotional banners in the background, offering assistance with job or training opportunities.
Two individuals are shown at a table with promotional banners in the background, offering assistance with job or training opportunities.

Redbridge Social Value initiative supporting Caterham High School's careers day.
Redbridge Social Value initiative supporting Caterham High School's careers day.

Participants in the
Participants in the \"Sikhs In The City\" running event, sponsored by Mulalley, raise funds for charities.

Volunteers and children participate in a gift-wrapping event, likely related to the council's anti-poverty or social value initiatives.
Volunteers and children participate in a gift-wrapping event, likely related to the council's anti-poverty or social value initiatives.