Charity urges 'new deal' on poverty

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is campaigning for a ‘new deal’ to alleviate poverty in the UK by 2030.

Arguing that poverty costs the UK £78 billion a year, the independent charity says that Prime Minister Theresa May's pledge of a post-Brexit UK that works for all must be delivered for the estimated 13 million people in poverty.

The foundation wants the government to make available an extra £1 billion a year to build 80,000 genuinely affordable homes to rent and buy in England, and job centres to be reformed in order to better support people into secure and better-paid work.

Julia Unwin, chief executive of the foundation, said: "A new 'long-term deal' to solve poverty is urgently needed so the first generation of 'Brexit children' starting school this week grow up in a country where no matter where they live, everyone has a chance of a decent and secure life.

"The Prime Minister has made a promise to make Britain work for everyone and reform capitalism. As Westminster reconvenes this week, I urge her to deliver on this promise. If we don't take action now, poverty is set to increase for children and working-age adults. Poverty is the biggest social evil of our time - we must act now.”

Cllr Nick Forbes, senior vice chair of the Local Government Association, said: “"There are parts of the UK where there is more to be done to raise people out of poverty. Councils are best placed to lead the way but need the financial freedom and powers to coordinate services and help everyone fulfil their potential.”