Britain Must Prevent Poverty, Not Just Manage It, Says New Campaign

London 16 March 2026 - Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has launched a new national campaign calling on politicians to place poverty prevention at the centre of public policy, following the publication of the Nicolson Report.

The campaign, Prioritise Poverty Prevention, urges policymakers to shift away from managing the consequences of poverty and instead focus on preventing hardship before it occurs.

The Nicolson Report — named after the late Rev. Paul Nicolson, the pioneering anti-poverty campaigner and TAP founder who helped establish the Real Living Wage and led groundbreaking research into the income required to meet basic needs — sets out the economic and social case for a prevention-led approach to poverty.

The report argues that poverty is not only a moral issue but a structural economic problem that places significant long-term costs on public services, the economy and society as a whole.

Launching the campaign, Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said:

“Britain spends billions managing the consequences of poverty, yet far too little preventing it. The Nicolson Report makes clear that preventing hardship is not only the right thing to do, it is also economically sensible. A prevention-led strategy would strengthen public finances, reduce pressure on public services and improve life chances for millions.”

The Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign will seek to build cross-party support in Parliament and wider public backing for policies that tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality.

As part of the campaign, TAP is encouraging MPs and members of the public to sign the Poverty Prevention Pledge, committing to support political decisions that reduce poverty and inequality while strengthening long-term national prosperity.

The organisation is also working to establish a cross-party parliamentary coalition focused on poverty prevention, bringing together MPs, policy experts and civil society organisations to develop practical solutions.

“The UK has no coherent national strategy for preventing poverty,” Burgess added.“Too often we respond only after people have already fallen into hardship. The aim of this campaign is to change that. Preventing poverty should be recognised as a central test of responsible government.”

The campaign will include parliamentary engagement, policy briefings and public outreach aimed at building momentum for a prevention-led approach to tackling poverty and inequality.

ENDS

For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: media@taxpayersagainspoverty.org

Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers against Poverty is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and economic injustice TAP seeks to influence national and local policy by promoting practical economic proposals that have a positive effect on reducing poverty and unnecessary financial hardship using a direct approach to decision makers and other influencers.

TAP was founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson and is led by Tom Burgess, author of From Here to Prosperity, a new political agenda for a sustainable economy and greater social justice, which proposes taxing wealth more and income less. TAP’s sister organisation is Compassion in Politics which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life.