Redbridge Council’s decision to sign up to the Government’s Troubled Families programme was welcomed by the secretary of state for communities yesterday.

Eric Pickles said he was delighted that 550 families in Redbridge will be given extra help to get children off the streets and into school, reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour and put adults on a path back to work.

Cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Alan Weinberg, said: “We welcome this initiative in Redbridge and pledge to do all we can for families in need. We are already working hard to help get people back to work and ensuring every child attends school regularly, however there is always more that can be done.

“We don’t want to burden local taxpayers with the costs associated with tackling some of the problems and we will work hard to ensure these families turn their lives around.”

Under the deal, the government will pay councils up to �4,000 per eligible family if they tackle the problems causing high rates of truancy, youth crime and anti-social behaviour or unemployment.