BLACK LONDONERS are almost twice as likely to be going into debt and borrowing from friends and family than white Londoners, according to new figures.

Polling by Mayor Sadiq Khan found that black Londoners were buying less food, using their savings and were over three times more likely to be searching for higher paid jobs.

The survey, released today, was carried out by YouGov just as the cost of living crisis – which is predicted to hit the black community hardest – was starting to bite.

The mayor has responded with a £2.3 million cash boost for London Citizens Advice and London Legal Support Trust, with a plea for the government to plug the rest of the £13 million shortfall in funding for advice agencies in the capital.

The poll was carried out between 17 and 22 June. It found that almost half (47%) of black Londoners were buying less food, compared to 34% of their white counterparts.

The findings come amid outrage that supermarkets are adding security tags on everyday household items like baby milk, cheese and bacon. Meat products are now being encased in thick plastic security boxes. Diane Abbott MP said this was “a complete indictment of this government.”

London deputy mayor Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard, who previously researched this area at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Runnymede Trust, told The Voice: “There’s always been a very close relationship between ethnicity and poverty. And the cost of living crisis has only really exacerbated the ongoing high rates of child poverty in black communities here in London, but also elsewhere.

“We know that there is a real crunch, that inflation is rising, prices are rising, etc. But there are many communities and black communities in particular who have been living in poverty for decades. So when I saw that data, no, I wasn’t surprised.

“It kind of reflects the ongoing issue of people from particular minority ethnic backgrounds not being able to access work that pays well; being more likely to work in sectors in which they have insecure work; less likely to be found in some of those more senior higher paid roles. There’s a whole raft of issues with regards to labour market discrimination, and being unable to fulfill their potential.”

Dr Weekes-Bernard said some of the £2.3 million will be directed to smaller groups to deliver financial advice for black Londoners because there is an issue of trust among particular communities in mainstream services.

The TUC has found that black workers were hardest hit during the Covid pandemic, being three times more likely to have their hours reduced compared to white workers, and were nearly twice as likely to take on a second job.

The Voice revealed in May that black unemployment has never been less than twice as high as white unemployment in the last 20 years.

Data spanning five governments – Labour, Conservative and Coalition – showed racial disparities only moves “from bad to really bad” and highlights that systemic racial injustice is hard-baked into the economy, and changes little whatever party is in power.

Speaking about the new cash to boost advice services, London mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’m hugely concerned about the impact of the spiralling cost of living on Londoners, with increasing numbers struggling to get by each month.

“I’m determined to do all I can to support Londoners which is why I am providing this funding to boost the vital work of London Citizens Advice and the London Legal Support Trust. By helping Londoners to access help and support they are entitled to, we can prevent more people falling into poverty and instead build a more prosperous city for all Londoners.”