Poverty Journal articles

As food bank use continues to soar to unprecedented levels, the Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN) wants to see the UK without the need for charitable food aid, where adequate and nutritious food is affordable to all. Why is a ‘cash first’ approach the way forward?

CPAG convened a panel of lower income parents from Black and minority ethnic communities in London to understand how policies affect them and changes they want to see. We talk about our approach, key learnings and considerations for future projects.

CPAG’s new report shows that the average British class of 30 pupils now has nine children living in poverty; the harder-hit areas have 11. They add up to 4.2 million British children whose parents have too little income to support them properly. What steps should be taken to prevent and end child poverty?

When it comes to campaigning, academia, the media and government, whose voices count? Whose expertise do we engage with and listen to in policymaking debates and processes? And what responsibility do charities, think tanks and academics have to make sure that the voices of those they are campaigning for and/or researching are part of the broader conversation for change?

Greater Manchester Poverty Action (GMPA) has been supporting local authorities in Greater Manchester and across the country to introduce anti-poverty strategies. What role do local anti-poverty strategies play in helping individuals and communities? What can be learned from work that is currently being done? And what makes a good strategy?

By Graham Whitham and Penny Rimmer

Why is the UK’s initial child poverty rate before cash transfers in benefits and tax credits among the very highest in Europe? What role are these transfers playing to reduce child poverty? And what can we learn from other countries about reducing child poverty?
By Jonathan Bradshaw

In the spring Budget, there was an unexpected £4 billion investment in early years childcare, meaning £4 in every £5 spent on childcare is now coming from the government. How does investment on this scale change the debate on childcare? What role does childcare play in changing life chances? And what would a better system look like?

By Megan Jarvie and Abby Jitendra

The vast majority of UC claimants make their claims and manage their ongoing awards online, and some processes for calculating awards have been automated. What has been the impact of this major change in social security administration? And has this digitalisation of means-tested benefits been implemented in a way that adheres to the rule of law?

By Rosie Mears

It has long been the case that having a second earner can change the risk of a family being in poverty. But it is not easy to take on paid work, and families often face lots of barriers. What are these barriers? What effect do they have on parents’ ability to work?

By Tom Lee

Across the UK, approximately 30 per cent of all children are living in poverty – nearly four million in total. What does this mean for children’s health? And what can be done to help medical professionals support families facing poverty and health inequalities?

By Dr Camilla Kingdon