Child poverty is often reduced to headlines and statistics. But behind every figure is a young person—living it, noticing it, and making sense of it in their own words.

In autumn 2025, we set out to do something simple, yet too often overlooked: listen directly to young people about their experiences of poverty and financial hardship. The expert team at Priority 1-54 partnered with 4in10 member XLP to bring together young people from communities across London. Together, they explored not only their own experiences, but also what they see happening to friends and peers.

Their report Potential Not Poverty reveals what’s really happening in their lives—and what must change. It is essential reading for all those committed to working towards a child poverty free London.