London, 7 December 2024 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) applauds the UK Government’s ambition to drive change through its newly announced Plan for Change. However, we are disheartened by the glaring omission of poverty reduction from its six milestones, despite the daily hardship endured by 14 million people in the UK.
The UK is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet in 2023, over 22% of the population—4.3 million children and 2.1 million pensioners—lived in poverty. This is not just a statistic; it represents lives diminished by avoidable suffering.
A Call for Inclusive Growth
The government’s milestone to raise living standards is welcome but risks leaving millions behind unless economic growth is inclusive. Growth that benefits only the wealthiest perpetuates inequality. TAP urges the government to adopt actionable measures to ensure growth lifts all communities, not just the privileged few.
To truly raise living standards for those in poverty, TAP proposes:
Abolishing council tax for renters, providing immediate relief to low-income households.
Raising the income tax threshold to the Real Living Wage, ensuring workers keep more of their earnings.
Aligning capital gains tax rates with income tax, creating a fairer tax system.
Introducing a wealth tax on assets over £10 million, funding critical public services like education and healthcare.
These reforms would directly address inequality and contribute to achieving the government’s milestones, particularly in housing, education, and healthcare.
Tom Burgess, Chair of Taxpayers Against Poverty, says:“The government’s focus on being the G7’s growth leader misses the point: this isn’t a competition. It’s about ensuring every citizen has the opportunity to live with dignity and security. Growth without inclusivity is hollow. Real change demands policies that directly reduce poverty and hardship.”
Why Poverty Reduction Matters
Poverty is a systemic failure, not an individual one. It undermines education, health, and economic productivity—issues the government seeks to address. Yet without poverty reduction as a priority, these milestones risk being unattainable.
Take Action
TAP calls on citizens to make their voices heard. Contact your local MP to demand policies that:
Prioritize poverty reduction alongside economic growth.
Ensure housing, healthcare, and education are accessible to all.
Create a fairer tax system that funds vital services and reduces inequality.
Let’s work together to ensure no one in the UK is left behind.
About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers Against Poverty is dedicated to reducing poverty through fair tax reform and evidence-based policy advocacy. Founded by the late Rev. Paul Nicolson, TAP continues to champion affordable housing, adequate incomes, and accessible healthcare for all.
For more information, visit www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Taken from Government statement 5 December 2024:
The milestones set out in ‘Plan for Change’ are:
Raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom, so working people have more money in their pocket as we aim to deliver the highest sustained growth in the G7, with higher Real Household Disposable Income per person and GDP per capita by the end of the Parliament.
Rebuilding Britain with 1.5 million homes in England and fast-tracking planning decisions on at least 150 major economic infrastructure projects.
Ending hospital backlogs to meet the NHS standard of 92% of patients in England waiting no longer than 18 weeks for elective treatment.
Putting police back on the beat with a named officer for every neighbourhood, and 13,000 additional officers, PCSOs and special constables in neighbourhood roles in England and Wales.
Giving children the best start in life, with a record 75% of five-year-olds in England ready to learn when they start school.
Securing home-grown energy, protecting billpayers, and putting us on track to at least 95% Clean Power by 2030, while accelerating the UK to net zero.
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