New Makerfield MP backs pledge to prioritise poverty

 Media comment from TAP

19 June 2026

Andy Burnham has backed a pledge committing politicians to prioritising poverty prevention, following his election as MP for Makerfield. The pledge—organised by Taxpayers Against Poverty and already supported by nearly 30 MPs, with more signing each week—states:

"I pledge to prioritise policies preventing poverty and inequality, acting with integrity, respect, and compassion in Parliament and my constituency."

Tom Burgess, economist and CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, welcomed Burnham’s support:

“Andy Burnham said in his victory speech last night that Makerfield will be the touchstone for his commitment to changing the UK economy.

“For too long, neoliberalism and trickle-down economics under successive governments have failed to raise living standards for the vast majority. Millions of families across the UK are struggling to make ends meet. Fourteen million people, including two million children, live in poverty.

“Britain doesn’t just need more growth—it needs growth that works for everyone. That means taxing work less, taxing unearned wealth more fairly, and putting poverty prevention at the heart of economic policy.

“It’s time for an economic reset. We hope an Andy Burnham-led government will deliver it. His early backing for our Prioritising Poverty Prevention Pledge is welcome—and shows he is returning to Parliament determined to drive the change the country desperately needs.”

ENDS

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