Every year, the UK spends an estimated £75 billion dealing with the consequences of poverty after the damage is already done.
At the same time:
• 14 million people in the UK are living in poverty
• 4.5 million children are growing up in poverty
• Public services are stretched to breaking point
We are paying more and getting worse outcomes.
At Compassion in Politics, we believe politics should be rooted in integrity, respect and compassion. That means tackling the causes of hardship, not just managing the crisis after the fact.
That is why we are partnering with Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) to launch a new national campaign:
Prioritise Poverty Prevention
The message is simple:
Stop funding failure. Start preventing poverty.
Right now, governments spend billions responding to the fallout from poverty through higher NHS demand, increased welfare costs, pressure on social care, overcrowded schools and lost economic productivity.
But evidence shows it would cost less, and work better, to prevent poverty in the first place through properly funded public services, fairer taxation and a social security system that covers essential living costs.
Yet Parliament still does not routinely ask one basic question before passing new laws:
Will this policy prevent poverty, or create more of it?
That needs to change.
As part of this campaign, MPs are being invited to sign a new Poverty Prevention Pledge:
“I pledge to prioritise policies preventing poverty and inequality, acting with integrity, respect and compassion in Parliament and my constituency.”
We are pleased to share that the first 20 founding MPs, from five political parties, have already joined the Prevent Poverty caucus.
Now we need public support to build momentum.
The petition calls on MPs to make poverty prevention a priority and to consider the poverty impact of legislation before they vote.
This is not a vague promise. It is a clear, public commitment that voters can hold politicians accountable to.
If enough people speak up, we can help shift the conversation from endlessly managing poverty to preventing it at source.
Please also consider:
Sharing the petition with your network
Forwarding this email to friends and colleagues
Posting on social media
Small actions, taken together, can create real political momentum.
Thank you, as always, for being part of this community.
Warmly,
Tom
On behalf of
Compassion in Politics
& Taxpayers Against Poverty