London 5 July 2024.   Taxpayers against Poverty (TAP) welcomes the election of the new government and hopes it will be more responsive to the needs of the 14 million people living in poverty   TAP commented that poverty was virtually ignored during the campaign and none of the parties seemed to present a comprehensive and practical plan for resolving poverty   Taxpayers against Poverty  is a campaigning group seeking to minimise poverty through reform of the tax system and related economic measures. TAP was founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson, the pioneer of the Real Living Wage and persistent campaigner on behalf of those struggling financially.   TAP plans to launch a new campaign that will offer economic initiatives that will help resolve poverty. More details will be announced in coming weeks.   Tom Burgess, Chair of Taxpayers Against Poverty said: “It was disgraceful that resolving poverty had such a low presence in the political debate during the election. This must change. There is a staggering that 14 million living in poverty in the UK, the six richest country in the world (as measured by GDP per capita). There are a few simple solutions that could make a big difference to the millions struggling every day. We need politicians that are bold enough to make strong decisions that will prioritise the poor over the wealthy.”       About Us Taxpayers against Poverty  is a campaigning group seeking to minimise poverty through reform of the tax system and related economic measures. TAP seeks to influence national and local policy with well-researched and robust evidence of hardship and promote practical policy proposals. TAP was founded by late Rev Pul Nicolson, the pioneer of the Real Living Wage and persistent campaigner who believed that n o citizen should be without an affordable home and an adequate income in work or unemployment combined with access to accessible healthcare. TAP is now led by Tom Burgess and is the sister organisation to Compassion in Politics , the think tank seeking to bring   more honesty, respect and kindness to the heart of politics . For www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   Tom Burgess Taxpayers Against Poverty is chaired by Tom Burgess, who worked and supported Rev Paul Nicolson in his campaigning. Tom is the author of From Here to Prosperity , a practical policy agenda for a sustainable economy and greater social justice , which was very much in line with Rev Pauls view. Tom is the former CEO of an international communications firm which operated in 100 countries and has also been student union president, founder member of SDP, journalist and broadcaster and political candidate. He attended Robert Reich’s Wealth & Poverty lectures at University of California, Berkeley and worked on the Bernie 2016 campaign. Tom was chair of the Coalition for Economic Justice and founded The Real Agenda podcast series.   Media Contacts Tom Burgess, Taxpayers Against Poverty, 0788 772 4285 tom@tomburgess.com

London 5 August 2024:  Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our 23,000 supporters on Facebook for their continued engagement and commitment to our cause. Your dedication has been instrumental in amplifying our voice as we advocate for fair and compassionate policies for the most vulnerable in our society.   With the election of a new government, Taxpayers Against Poverty is launching a communications programme designed to directly influence future policy decisions. This initiative will focus on ensuring that the voices of those most affected by poverty are heard by decision-makers at all levels.   The programme will centre around three key areas: 1. Housing Reform: Advocating for sustainable, affordable housing policies that prevent homelessness and support low-income renters. 2. Social Security Improvements: Calling for a more equitable benefits system that ensures dignity and financial security for all. 3. Local Community Empowerment: Collaborating with grassroots organisations to amplify local voices and push for community-based solutions to poverty.   Through this new programme, TAP will work to build stronger connections with politicians, stakeholders, and community leaders. We will also launch an online campaign to encourage the public to engage with their local MPs and advocate for changes that reflect the needs of those living in poverty.   We look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks as we prepare to mobilise our supporters across the country to push for meaningful change.   Tom Burgess, Chair of Taxpayers Against Poverty said: “When the founder of TAP Rev Paul Nicolson died in March 2020 just before the pandemic changed our world, he had over 23,000 followers on Facebook and over 3000 on X. Since TAP  has kept up our postings alerting followers to the injustices suffered by so many and offering potential solutions. We have been working closely with our sister organisation   Compassion in Politics , the think tank seeking to bring   more honesty, respect and kindness to the heart of politics . Four years later TAP still has over 23,000 followers on Facebook and over 3000 followers on which is a testament to the determination of our supporters and their determination to see change. Thank you once again to our incredible Facebook community. Together, we will continue the fight for justice, dignity, and equality.   For more information, visit our website at www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.   Media Contacts Tom Burgess, Taxpayers Against Poverty, 0788 772 4285 tom@tomburgess.com

London 5 September 2024:  Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) expresses deep concern over the lack of vision demonstrated by the new UK government in addressing the critical issues of poverty and social inequality. Despite widespread calls for action, the government's current policies fall short of creating the structural changes necessary to lift millions of people out of poverty and provide meaningful support for the most vulnerable.   Failure to Address the Real Crisis   While political leaders continue to promise economic growth, their plans have largely ignored the urgent social crisis that is affecting millions of families across the UK. Rising housing costs, inadequate social security, and escalating energy prices have left too many people struggling to make ends meet. The new government's approach does little to offer hope for those caught in this vicious cycle of poverty.   Reform is desperately needed to ensure that low-income individuals and families receive the support they need to thrive, rather than merely survive.   TAP Calls for Immediate and Long-Term Solutions   Taxpayers Against Poverty is calling on the UK government to adopt a bold, forward-thinking approach to tackling poverty. Our vision for meaningful change includes:   1. Affordable Housing for All     The government must invest in truly affordable housing by increasing the stock of social housing and regulating the private rental sector. Strong rent controls and protections for renters are urgently needed to prevent people from losing their homes and becoming trapped in precarious housing situations.   2. A Fair Social Security System     Social security benefits must be reformed to ensure they provide a real safety net. This includes raising the basic allowance of Universal Credit to reflect the true cost of living and ensuring timely access to benefits without unnecessary delays or sanctions.   3. A Real Living Wage     Every worker in the UK deserves a wage that meets the cost of living. TAP urges the government to implement the Real Living Wage that is deemed sufficient to cover housing, food, utilities, and other essentials. This is key to reducing the working poor population.   4. Energy and Food Security     Immediate action is needed to cap energy prices and ensure that families do not face the impossible choice between heating and eating. Support for food banks, alongside policies aimed at reducing the need for them, must be central to the government’s strategy.   5. Empowering Local Communities     Local councils need greater funding and autonomy to develop tailored, community-based solutions to poverty. Devolving power will enable more effective decision-making that directly reflects the needs of local populations.         Tom Burgess, Chair of Taxpayers Against Poverty said: “The new government’s lack of vision on these key issues is not just a policy failure—it’s a moral failure. We need leadership that prioritises the needs of ordinary citizens over abstract economic goals. It’s time to invest in people by building an economy that works for everyone, not just a select few.   Growth is not good unless it is inclusive growth benefitting all. Growth is meaningless to those in poverty suffering every day. Taxpayers Against Poverty urges the government to engage with civil society organizations, local communities, and those living in poverty to co-create policies that are both practical and humane. Only through bold, inclusive leadership can we achieve a fair and just society for all.”   TAP will announce policy proposals to address poverty over coming weeks   For more information, visit our website at www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter for regular updates.   Media Contacts Tom Burgess, Taxpayers Against Poverty, 0788 772 4285 tom@tomburgess.com