£2.2m Aid for Enfield & Haringey Families – Khan’s Plan

Key Points

• A new £2.2 million programme named the Family Financial Resilience Partnership has been announced by City Hall to support low-income families across twelve London boroughs, including Enfield and Haringey.
• The initiative will provide free, independent advice on benefits, housing, childcare, immigration, disability, and employment issues.
• It collaborates with local councils, London Citizens Advice, and London Legal Support Trust to train more staff and increase capacity at family hubs and children’s centres.
• The programme is projected to assist over 17,500 families in its first year, helping them access around £8 million in otherwise unclaimed financial support.
• Data indicates that 35% of children in London, approximately 700,000, live in poverty after housing costs.
• This effort forms part of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s broader work, with past campaigns over three years aiding 130,000 Londoners to claim over £94 million in entitlements, despite £4 billion in benefits still unclaimed citywide.
• Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan stated his determination to help families cope with the cost-of-living crisis by investing in this partnership.
• Jonathan Mogford, chair of London Citizens Advice, welcomed the collaboration to embed services in family hubs.
• Joanne McCartney, London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, expressed delight at the inclusion of these boroughs.

Enfield and Haringey are two of the twelve boroughs that will benefit from the new City Hall support programme (North London News) January 16, 2026 – City Hall has unveiled a £2.2 million Family Financial Resilience Partnership targeting low-income families in twelve London boroughs, including North London areas Enfield and Haringey, to deliver free advice on key entitlements. The programme aims to reach thousands of families with children, addressing unclaimed benefits amid rising child poverty rates of 35% after housing costs, affecting around 700,000 children across the capital. Expected to support over 17,500 households in its inaugural year and unlock £8 million in financial aid, the initiative partners with local councils, London Citizens Advice, and London Legal Support Trust to expand services at family hubs and children’s centres.

What Is the Family Financial Resilience Partnership?

The Family Financial Resilience Partnership represents a targeted City Hall investment to bolster independent advice services for vulnerable families. It focuses on a comprehensive range of issues, encompassing benefits, housing, childcare, immigration, disability, and employment, ensuring families receive holistic support. By funding staff training and enhancing capacity at existing family hubs and children’s centres, the programme seeks to make advice more accessible in community settings.

As outlined in the official announcement, this £2.2 million allocation will enable partner organisations to scale operations effectively. London Citizens Advice and London Legal Support Trust, working alongside local councils, will embed their expertise directly into these hubs, fostering deeper community ties. The collaboration underscores a practical approach to tackling financial hardship at its roots.

Projections indicate substantial impact, with more than 17,500 families set to benefit in the first year alone, securing approximately £8 million in entitlements that might otherwise remain unclaimed. This figure highlights the scale of missed opportunities in London’s welfare system.

Which Boroughs Will Benefit from This £2.2m Funding?

Enfield and Haringey stand out as two of the twelve selected London boroughs, bringing vital support to North London communities facing acute cost-of-living pressures. The full list of participating boroughs has been confirmed through City Hall’s announcement, though specific details on the others were not individually named in initial reports. These areas were chosen based on need, aligning with data showing widespread child poverty.

Local representation has welcomed the inclusion. Joanne McCartney, London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, stated:

“I am delighted that Enfield and Haringey are confirmed as two of the twelve London boroughs participating in the mayor’s new scheme helping low-income families secure financial support.”

Her comments reflect optimism about the programme’s potential to deliver tangible relief in these boroughs.

The selection process prioritises regions with high concentrations of low-income households, ensuring resources reach where they are most required. Family hubs in Enfield and Haringey will see expanded services, providing on-site advice to streamline access.

How Does Child Poverty Underpin This Initiative?

Data reveals a stark reality: more than one in three children in London, approximately 700,000, live in poverty after housing costs. This statistic drives the urgency of the Family Financial Resilience Partnership, positioning it as a direct response to escalating deprivation. Unclaimed benefits exacerbate the issue, with over £4 billion in entitlements going untapped across the capital.

The programme builds on prior successes under Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s administration. Over the past three years, income maximisation campaigns and advice services have assisted more than 130,000 Londoners in claiming over £94 million in support. Yet, the persistent £4 billion gap in unclaimed benefits signals the need for sustained, scaled intervention.

City Hall’s strategy emphasises prevention, equipping families with knowledge to navigate complex systems. By focusing on early advice, the initiative aims to avert deeper financial crises, particularly for those with children.

What Did Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan Say About the Programme?

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan positioned the Family Financial Resilience Partnership as a cornerstone of his cost-of-living relief efforts. He said:

“I’m determined to help London’s families cope with the cost-of-living and put more money back into household budgets. That’s why I’m investing £2.2m in the Family Financial Resilience Partnership to ensure parents and carers across the capital can access the support that they’re entitled to and make a significant difference to their finances.”

Khan’s remarks highlight a commitment to maximising entitlements amid economic strain. As the latest component of his broader support framework, the programme aligns with previous campaigns that have delivered substantial financial gains for Londoners. His focus on household budgets underscores the practical intent behind the funding.

The mayor’s determination reflects ongoing priorities, with this investment signaling continued action despite national welfare challenges.

How Has London Citizens Advice Responded?

Jonathan Mogford, chair of London Citizens Advice, expressed strong support for the partnership. He said:

“Across London boroughs, local Citizens Advice are key partners with family hubs. Citizens Advice has deep and trusted links into the diverse communities in London impacted by hardship and other problems, so we are delighted to work with the GLA to embed and link our services to family hub settings, strengthening the support available to families with children/young people.”

Mogford’s statement emphasises the organisation’s established role in community outreach. By integrating services into family hubs, Citizens Advice will leverage its trusted networks to reach diverse groups affected by hardship. This embedding process promises enhanced, localised assistance.

The collaboration with the Greater London Authority (GLA) marks a strategic expansion, building on existing partnerships with local councils.

What Role Do Local Councils and Partners Play?

Local councils will collaborate closely with London Citizens Advice and London Legal Support Trust to implement the programme. This tripartite effort focuses on training additional staff and boosting capacity at family hubs and children’s centres, ensuring services are frontline-ready. The £2.2 million funding directly supports these operational enhancements.

The partnership model prioritises coordination, allowing councils to tailor advice to borough-specific needs, such as those in Enfield and Haringey. London Legal Support Trust contributes expertise in complex areas like immigration and disability, complementing Citizens Advice’s benefits focus.

Through this framework, the initiative avoids duplication, maximising impact across the twelve boroughs.

Why Was This Programme Launched Now?

The announcement arrives amid persistent cost-of-living pressures, with child poverty data galvanising action. City Hall’s move addresses the £4 billion in unclaimed benefits, a figure that past efforts have only partially dented. The first-year target of 17,500 families and £8 million in unlocked support demonstrates ambition.

As part of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s ongoing work, it extends three years of campaigns that aided 130,000 individuals. The timing aligns with heightened awareness of poverty’s toll, particularly post-housing costs.

Critically, the programme’s scale responds to systemic gaps, ensuring entitlements reach those in need without bureaucratic hurdles.

How Will the Programme Measure Success?

Success metrics centre on reach and financial outcomes: over 17,500 families assisted and £8 million claimed in year one. These targets build on precedents where similar services delivered £94 million over three years. Monitoring will track staff training, hub capacity, and claim volumes.

Partner feedback, such as from Jonathan Mogford and Joanne McCartney, will inform adjustments. Long-term, reductions in unclaimed benefits and poverty rates will gauge broader efficacy.

The initiative’s design allows for scalability, potentially expanding if initial results prove strong.

What Challenges Might Low-Income Families Face?

Families often miss entitlements due to complexity in benefits systems, housing rules, and immigration processes. The programme counters this with free, independent advice, simplifying access. Disability and employment queries add layers, which trained staff at hubs will address.

Despite past gains, the £4 billion unclaimed pool persists, highlighting awareness gaps. Embedding services in trusted community sites like family hubs aims to overcome barriers.

Diverse London communities, as noted by Jonathan Mogford, require culturally sensitive support, which partners are equipped to provide.

This £2.2 million investment by City Hall through the Family Financial Resilience Partnership marks a significant step for Enfield, Haringey, and ten other boroughs. By empowering 17,500 families to claim £8 million, it confronts child poverty head-on, building on Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s track record. Statements from key figures like Jonathan Mogford and Joanne McCartney affirm its potential, with collaborations ensuring robust delivery. As London navigates economic headwinds, such targeted aid proves essential for resilience.