TAP CEO Tom Burgess joins Global Living Wage Steering Group

Appointment builds on the pioneering legacy of TAP founder Rev Paul Nicolson, whose early research helped lay the foundations of the Living Wage movement.

London 4 November 2026: Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) is pleased to announce that its Chief Executive, Tom Burgess, has been appointed to the Steering Group of the Global Living Wage initiative, organised by the Living Wage Foundation.

The initiative, led by Shaheen Hashmat, Head of Global Living Wage at the Living Wage Foundation, works with international partners to strengthen living wage movements, promote fair pay and tackle in-work poverty around the world.

Tom Burgess brings extensive experience in international communications, campaigning, economic and social policy, and poverty prevention, together with a longstanding involvement in the movement for greater economic justice. His appointment also represents a continuation of the pioneering work of TAP's founder, the late Rev Paul Nicolson, whose contribution to the origins of the Living Wage movement was formally recognised earlier this year.

Honouring a pioneer of the Living Wage movement

In 1998, Rev Paul Nicolson raised the funding to commission the Family Budget Unit to research minimum income standards — identifying the income people needed to maintain a decent standard of living. This early research provided important evidence subsequently used by UNISON and London Citizens in campaigning for a London Living Wage, helping establish the foundations of a movement that has transformed employment practices across the UK.

Paul's contribution was recognised at the Living Wage Foundation's 2026 Living Wage Champion Awards, marking the movement's 25th anniversary. He received the Posthumous Heart of the Movement Award, honouring his pioneering role and lifetime commitment to social justice and fair pay. Tom Burgess accepted the award on Paul's behalf. The recognition highlighted the enduring relevance of Paul's conviction that people should have sufficient income to live with dignity — an ambition that continues to underpin TAP's work today.

Bringing experience and expertise to a global movement

As Chief Executive of TAP, Tom Burgess has continued Paul's work by developing practical policy proposals aimed at preventing poverty rather than simply managing its consequences. His experience includes leading an international communications business operating across 100 countries, alongside extensive involvement in campaigns, economic policy development and public engagement. He is also the author of From Here to Prosperity, which explores how economic and taxation reforms can help build a fairer, more sustainable society.

Tom Burgess said:

"I am delighted to join the Global Living Wage Steering Group and to contribute to the important international work being led by the Living Wage Foundation. "This appointment has particular significance for me because of Paul Nicolson's pioneering contribution to the Living Wage movement. Paul understood that we needed to establish what people actually require to live decently, rather than simply accept a statutory minimum that may leave working families struggling. It was a privilege to collect his award earlier this year and see his contribution recognised as the movement celebrated its 25th anniversary. The principles he championed remain just as relevant today. A living wage is not simply about fair pay. It is fundamental to financial security, dignity and preventing in-work poverty.

"I look forward to bringing my experience in international engagement, economic policy and poverty prevention to the Steering Group, and working with colleagues around the world to strengthen the case for living wages and help turn that commitment into practical change."

Fair wages, stronger economies and lasting prosperity

The Global Living Wage initiative supports the development of locally relevant living wage standards and strengthens cooperation between organisations working to improve pay and working conditions internationally.

The work reflects the principle that wages should be determined with reference to the real cost of living, enabling workers and their families to meet essential needs.

Tom Burgess believes that living wages are also an important element of a wider economic approach that recognises the relationship between fair pay, financial security, productivity and sustainable growth.

"Businesses, governments and civil society all have a role in ensuring that work provides a genuine route to economic security," he added. "Experience from different countries can help us understand what works, how to overcome barriers and how employers can benefit from investing in their people. The expansion of the living wage movement internationally offers an important opportunity to demonstrate that fair pay and economic prosperity can reinforce one another."

The appointment brings together the historic contribution of one of the Living Wage movement's early pioneers with the continuing work to advance living wages internationally.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Tom Burgess

Tom Burgess is Chief Executive of Taxpayers Against Poverty and author of From Here to Prosperity. He has extensive experience in international communications, public affairs, campaigning and economic policy. He previously led an international communications business operating across 100 countries and worked alongside Rev Paul Nicolson in campaigning against poverty and economic injustice.

About Rev Paul Nicolson

Rev Paul Nicolson (1932–2020) founded the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust and Taxpayers Against Poverty. In 1998 he raised funding for the Family Budget Unit's research into minimum income standards, which contributed to the early development of the London Living Wage campaign. At the Living Wage Foundation's 2026 Living Wage Champion Awards, he received the Posthumous Heart of the Movement Award. Tom Burgess accepted the award on his behalf.

About the Global Living Wage initiative

The Global Living Wage initiative is organised by the Living Wage Foundation, part of Citizens UK. Led by Shaheen Hashmat, Head of Global Living Wage, it works with international partners to develop and strengthen living wage initiatives and address in-work poverty. Website: www.livingwage.org.uk

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 an independent, non-partisan organisation campaigning for practical policies that prevent poverty, reduce inequality and unnecessary financial hardship, and create better long-term value for taxpayers. Its current policy programme includes The Prevention Dividend, Connected Britain, Green Prosperity, Location, Location plus tax reform, housing, transport, and inclusive economic growth.

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 is part of Real Agenda Network, a not-for-profit social enterprise bringing together campaigns, research, media and public engagement to tackle poverty, inequality and the barriers preventing people from thriving, this includes Compassion in Politics which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life; The Progressive Policy Unit (PPU) which develops practical, evidence-based proposals on poverty prevention, economic fairness, taxation, public services and social wellbeing and Purple Shoots which helps people excluded from mainstream finance start sustainable microbusinesses by providing small ethical loans alongside practical support and mentoring, creating income, independence and stronger local economies.