The question of where babies come from can be difficult for parents to answer. Politicians rarely do anything better, but we need to find an answer soon, before London begins to resemble a retirement community.
The number of babies born in the capital has fallen by more than a fifth in the past decade. The total fertility rate, calculated based on birth rates for various age groups, also fell by 30% over the same decade, leaving the number of babies per woman at 1.39, far below the 2.1 needed to stabilize the population. It was much lower.
Few parents or professionals would be surprised to hear the reason for this reproductive malaise. Living expenses from housing to childcare. The capital is the most expensive place in the country to call home, and while children are often free at the time of conception, they are far from cheap. Because of this, many would-be parents end up delaying having children or having one child when they wanted to have two or three. Meanwhile, the cost of private fertility treatments in London puts this option out of reach for many.
The ripple effects are already being felt in schools, with more schools struggling to balance budgets and facing closure or mergers as demand for places falls. Meanwhile, the NHS is consulting on plans to close maternity wards due to falling birth rates.
British politicians like to talk about “hard-working families”. But it’s not that difficult or expensive to get started.
Labor walks a tightrope
Parties with a 20-point lead in opinion polls months from the general election need not take any risks, and Sir Keir Starmer’s six pledges unveiled today at an event in Essex are in line with that idea. It was something.
From stabilizing the economy to setting up a new Border Force command and recruiting 6,500 teachers, Labor is continuing its reassurance agenda. This broadly makes sense, as some voters remain wary of the party’s ability to manage the economy and finances. Moreover, Rishi Sunak’s experience with pledges shows that unfulfilled pledges can become a millstone around a leader’s neck.
Still, there needs to be a balance. Some voters want reassurance, but others want to know that Labor has plans to improve large areas of the public realm that are in disrepair. This is the tightrope Starmer, Rachel Reeves and the shadow cabinet will have to walk from now until polling day. The Conservatives are hopeful that one or two people may drop out. That hasn’t happened yet.
Bespoke victory
In a victory for the Savile Row tailors, Westminster City Council has reversed an earlier decision and approved the demolition of the local police station to make way for a major new development, including an academy for apprentices. This recognition sought on these pages will help protect and enhance the skills and talent that have been on display on this famous street for many years. A belated but sensible result was achieved.
