Barking and Dagenham’s Debt Crisis: Tots n Tunes Supports Families

Key Points

• Barking and Dagenham Council is the most indebted local authority in London, with £1 billion in debt.
• The borough’s population has risen by 17.7% in the past decade, well above London’s average increase of 7.7%.
• One in four residents are children, the highest proportion in England and Wales.
• Tots n Tunes, a charity-supported early years programme, offers free singing and play sessions to local families.
• The programme is supported by Barking and Dagenham Council but heavily reliant on donations, including from BBC Children in Need.
• The borough faces severe financial constraints, with a 40% funding reduction over ten years and only 17% of funding coming from council tax.
• Playgroups and family services are at risk due to budget cuts, threatening support for early childhood development.
• Trust for London reports Barking and Dagenham has the highest percentage of adults with no qualifications in London and nearly a quarter of residents earn below the living wage.
• Community initiatives like Tots n Tunes play a critical role in aiding child development and social cohesion in the borough.

What is the situation in Barking and Dagenham regarding council debt and population growth?

As reported by the BBC, Barking and Dagenham Council is currently the most indebted local authority in London, grappling with a staggering £1 billion in debt. This financial strain comes at a time when the borough has experienced exceptionally rapid population growth. According to Office for National Statistics figures cited in the report, Barking and Dagenham’s population has increased by 33,000 people over the past decade, a 17.7% rise compared to the London-wide average of 7.7%.

This demographic boom adds significant pressure to local services, particularly for families and children. The borough boasts the highest proportion of children under the age of 16 of any local authority in England and Wales, with one in four residents being a child.

Who is Dana Benes and how does he contribute to the community?

Dana Benes, a prominent figure highlighted by BBC journalist, is a former refugee from Iraq who arrived in the UK in 1990. Having personally experienced the community support in Barking and Dagenham, he began the weekly singing sessions called All Around the World at Barking Learning Centre initially as a parent.

Benes said,

“I’m from Iraq and I came here in 1990 and I felt that Barking and Dagenham supported me. I still feel like a guest, you know? I want to give back as much as I can to the community which has supported me – and I’m sure most people are similar to how I feel.”

His Tots n Tunes sessions, which gather around 25 families weekly, blend traditional English nursery rhymes and international songs to support early childhood development and cultural integration. The sessions rely heavily on charitable donations, including crucial support from BBC Children in Need.

What challenges do families face in Barking and Dagenham?

The borough’s growing population has not been matched by adequate facilities for families. Dana Benes describes Barking and Dagenham as “one of the most deprived boroughs in the country,” further complicated by the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“In a borough with the highest population of 0-4-year-olds, it’s come down to community groups like ourselves to basically provide all the facilities for the families,” Benes stated.

The financial struggle means that many families cannot afford simple leisure activities like trips to local soft play centres. The charitable playgroups are vital, but their continuation is precarious with severe council budget cuts.

How is the council funding and budget outlook impacting local services?

According to Barking and Dagenham Council’s own budget consultation from last year, the local authority has faced a 40% cut in funding over the last decade. Only 17% of its revenue is sourced from council tax, making it heavily dependent on central government grants.

Playgroups and early years services, essential for supporting families with young children, are among the provisions most at risk as the council seeks to make savings amid tight financial circumstances.

What does the data say about education and income levels in the borough?

The Trust for London charitable foundation reveals concerning socio-economic indicators. In 2021, 12% of adults in Barking and Dagenham had no recognised qualifications, the worst rate across all London boroughs. Furthermore, a 2024 estimate places nearly 24% of residents as earning below the living wage, emphasising widespread economic hardship.

Why are community initiatives like Tots n Tunes so important in Barking and Dagenham?

Dana Benes and the volunteers at Tots n Tunes emphasise the significance of these community groups in a borough where public support systems are under threat. According to Karen Quaye, a Tots n Tunes volunteer cited by BBC News, the programme has “actually grown other little groups,” enhancing social cohesion and providing critical developmental support for children.

Benes underscores the

“impact of community initiatives such as Tots n Tunes cannot be understated for aiding child development, strengthening family bonds and improving social cohesion.”

The lively sessions feature activities such as singing around a colourful parachute, which delight both children and parents. There is also a weekly fathers’ group and free stay and play activities, all designed to nurture and support families navigating the borough’s challenges.

When is the next major BBC Children in Need appeal and how is it connected?

The BBC Children in Need appeal, a key funding supporter of Tots n Tunes, will be broadcast on BBC One on the evening of Friday, 14 November 2025. The event is set to be presented by Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay and is part of the ongoing effort to raise charitable funds for vulnerable children and families, including those in areas like Barking and Dagenham.