Radical reforms to tackle worklessness must be followed-up by an overhaul of the childcare system, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has said in a new report.

The paper highlights how current childcare arrangements are often counter-productive for parents, and sets out how to address the root causes of the problem.

Christian Guy, Managing Director of the CSJ, said: ‘Finding suitable and affordable childcare in the UK is difficult and often hinders some of the poorest parents from working. We need to give people the tools to escape poverty – reforming childcare must be a political priority.’

The report – Transforming Childcare, Changing Lives – urged Ministers to reform the system so parents can either avoid the cost of childcare completely, or drive down costs to make it more affordable.

The publication, which also called for an easing of ‘red tape’ around childcare, was covered widely in the media, including The Telegraph.

Responding to growing concerns about poverty in London, the CSJ took part in a three-part ITV series of features exploring deprivation in the capital this week.

The broadcaster reported how unemployment in the capital is now at its highest level since 1996 and that food banks have seen an increase of 150 per cent in people accessing services.

Christian Guy described London as a tale of two cities and said the levels of disparity between different areas are unacceptable for the 21st Century.

In the interview, he said that work is the ‘surest route out of poverty’ and that people should be supported into employment so that they have the tools to break free from welfare dependency.

David Lammy has called for more focus on family breakdown after he told a CSJ event that there is a link between absent fathers and crime.

The Labour MP has become one of the leading spokespeople on youth justice and his commentary about last year’s riots, which started in his Tottenham constituency, have been hailed as invaluable.

He was interviewed by Guardian journalist Jonathan Freedland at the CSJ fringe event, A year on: did the riots change Britain?, at Labour conference this week.

The comments sparked a debate on the link between family breakdown and crime and the CSJ was interviewed on BBC London.

At Labour conference the CSJ also hosted an event examining youth unemployment. It followed events we held at the Liberal Democrat conference, with ministers Steve Webb and Jeremy Browne.

Click here to see our programme for Conservative conference next week.

David Lammy will be discussing the role family plays in a 'good society' at a CSJ lecture next month. To attend click here.