Former Work and Pensions Minister Helen Goodman Joins TAP Advisory Board

London, 2 June 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Goodman to its Advisory Board.

Helen brings extensive experience from both Parliament and government, having served as Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland from 2005 to 2019 and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, with responsibility for child poverty and childcare. In her position, she oversaw the passage of the Child Poverty Act. Throughout her public life she has been a respected voice on social justice, welfare reform, poverty, and economic fairness.

Her appointment comes at a time when poverty, inequality, and financial hardship are becoming increasingly important issues in public debate, and as TAP expands its Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign across Parliament and wider civil society.

TAP CEO Tom Burgess welcomed the appointment.

"We are absolutely delighted that Helen has agreed to join our Advisory Board. She brings a wealth of experience, deep policy knowledge, and a long-standing commitment to tackling poverty and inequality.

At a time when millions of people across the UK are struggling with the cost of living and financial insecurity, Helen's insight and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to develop practical policies aimed at preventing poverty before it occurs.

TAP is building a broad coalition of parliamentarians, experts, charities, campaigners and citizens who believe Britain can do better. Helen's appointment is another important step in that journey."

Helen Goodman said:

"Poverty is not inevitable. It is the result of political and economic choices. I am pleased to join the Advisory Board of Taxpayers Against Poverty and support its efforts to promote policies that reduce poverty, tackle inequality and improve the lives of people across the UK.

The organisation's focus on prevention is particularly important. It is always better – for individuals, communities and taxpayers – to prevent poverty than to deal with its consequences later."

The appointment strengthens TAP's growing network of advisors and supporters as it works to build support for practical solutions to poverty and inequality, including tax reform, housing affordability, poverty prevention, and measures to reduce financial hardship.

Recent initiatives include the publication of The Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal, the launch of the Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign, the establishment of a cross-party Poverty Prevention Caucus of MPs, and the forthcoming public petition calling for poverty prevention to become a national policy priority.

TAP believes that tackling poverty is not simply a moral imperative but an economic necessity. Poverty and financial hardship impose significant costs on public services, communities and the wider economy. Preventing poverty delivers benefits for individuals, taxpayers and society as a whole.

ENDS

For further information, media enquiries, interviews, or comment: 

Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty

Email: media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

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.