The Nicolson Report: Poverty Benefits No-One Full report here: Final Draft_Nicolson Child Poverty Report_Jan 2026.pdf - Google Drive London, 17 February 2026 - Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP)  publishes The Nicolson Report: Poverty Benefits No-One to demonstrate that poverty in the UK is neither inevitable nor affordable — and that economic reform, particularly of the tax system, is essential to reducing inequality and hardship at scale . The central finding The UK has persistently high poverty levels  — over 14 million people , including 4.5 million children , now live in poverty, with deep poverty and destitution rising. This imposes enormous social and economic costs , estimated at over £75 billion per year  through lost productivity, increased NHS demand, social care pressures, and reduced tax revenues. The report’s central conclusion is clear: Poverty benefits no one — and the current economic system actively sustains it. At the heart of this failure is a structurally unfair tax system that over-taxes work and under-taxes wealth , allowing inequality to widen while starving public services of investment. The economic case for tax reform The report argues that poverty and excessive wealth are directly connected . When large concentrations of wealth are lightly taxed, government loses the resources needed to invest in the very systems that underpin prosperity — education, health, care, housing and infrastructure. Key structural failures identified include: Heavy reliance on taxes on earnings and consumption (income tax, National Insurance, VAT) Light and inconsistent taxation of wealth, assets, and unearned income An outdated local taxation system (Council Tax) that is regressive and unfair Major loopholes in capital gains, inheritance tax, and property taxation Tax subsidies that disproportionately benefit high earners The result is a system that entrenches inequality and makes poverty harder to prevent . Core tax reform proposals The report sets out a practical, modernised approach to tax reform , designed to raise revenue fairly while reducing poverty and inequality. 1. Tax wealth and unearned income more fairly Align Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax , ending the anomaly where income from wealth is taxed less than income from work Apply National Insurance to investment income  (dividends, rent, interest) Introduce a modest annual tax on extreme wealth  (e.g. assets over £10 million), affecting only the very richest while raising significant revenue These measures would raise tens of billions annually while improving fairness. 2. Reform property and local taxation Replace Council Tax with a proportional property tax or land value tax , or at minimum revalue properties and add higher bands for high-value homes Strengthen Council Tax Reduction schemes to prevent low-income households falling into debt This would shift the burden away from those least able to pay and better reflect real wealth. 3. Reform inheritance tax to reduce entrenched inequality Close loopholes such as Business Property Relief  and Agricultural Property Relief , which are widely exploited Move toward a lifetime gifts or receipts-based system , taxing large inheritances more effectively while protecting modest transfers 4. End regressive tax subsidies Reform pension tax relief , which overwhelmingly benefits high earners, by moving to a flat-rate or capped system Redirect savings into poverty reduction and support for low-income pensioners 5. Tackle avoidance and evasion Abolish or substantially reform non-dom status Invest in HMRC enforcement and transparency to ensure taxes legally owed are actually paid What tax reform enables The report is explicit that tax reform is not an end in itself . It is the mechanism that allows government to: Guarantee that social security covers the essentials of life Make work a reliable route out of poverty Invest in education, health services, social care and infrastructure Reduce regional inequality through targeted investment Prevent poverty rather than managing its consequences In short, fair taxation funds prosperity — and prevents poverty . Conclusion The Nicolson Report  makes a clear case: poverty in a wealthy country is a policy failure — and ending it is a policy choice . Modernising the tax system so that wealth contributes fairly is economically rational, socially just, and essential to long-term prosperity . With political will, these reforms can reduce hardship, strengthen public services, and build a fairer, more resilient economy. Poverty benefits no one — but ending it benefits us all. Full report here:   Nicolson Poverty Scandal Report OAW Feb 2026 (1).pdf - Google Drive   About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers against Poverty  is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice by promoting economic policies that have a direct effect on reducing poverty and the unnecessary financial hardship. TAP seeks to influence national and local policy with well-researched and robust evidence of hardship and promote practical policy proposals 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 and partner is Compassion in Politics   which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life   For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org

•             Taxpayers Against Poverty sets out bold economic blueprint to tackle long-term poverty •             Proposes major tax reforms to address structural poverty in UK •             Report named after Rev Paul Nicolson anti-poverty campaigner and pioneer of real living wage London 17 February 2026 - A new report exposing the scale and economic cost of poverty in the UK — and setting out simple, cost-effective steps the government could take to tackle it — has been published by Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP).   The Nicolson Report: Poverty Benefits No-One  lays out the scale of the poverty crisis in the UK and presents a clear, practical blueprint for change. It shows that poverty drains the economy through lost productivity, higher health and social care spending, and reduced tax revenues, costing the UK at least £75bn each year. The report argues that poverty is the result of long-term policy choices on taxation, public investment and reliance on crisis response rather than prevention. Poverty s not inevitable but engineered. The UK’s outdated economic system, especially an unfair tax system, sustains this failure, the report says, by over taxing work and under-taxing wealth. More than 14 million people, including 4 million children, live in poverty  in the UK. And one in five people are IN work, a reality TAP describes as both economically reckless and morally indefensible. Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said: “Poverty at this scale is not inevitable — it is the result of political and economic choices. Poverty benefits no one. It damages lives, weakens communities, and costs the economy tens of billions of pounds every year.” The Nicolson Report sets out a bold but achievable programme of reform, arguing that fair taxation of wealth — combined with reinvestment in public services and infrastructure — is essential to restoring economic balance and tackling poverty. Its recommendations include: ·       A 2% annual wealth tax on assets over £10 million, raising an estimated £25 billion per year ·       Aligning capital gains tax rates with income tax ·       Applying National Insurance to investment income ·       Closing income tax loopholes that disproportionately benefit large accumulations of wealth ·       Replacing council tax with a proportional property or land value tax Polling shows such policies, especially a specific wealth tax, command significant public support  — including backing from many millionaires . Alongside tax reform, the Nicolson Report calls for a strengthened welfare safety net, decisive action on wage inequality, and sustained investment in health, education, social care and infrastructure. Taken together, these measures would raise substantial revenue. But the report’s central argument goes further: the UK must stop designing an economy that entrenches poverty in the first place. “The wealthiest in society did not succeed alone,” Tom Burgess added. “They benefited from publicly funded education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic stability. Reinvesting in those foundations is not punishment — it is basic economic common sense.” Taxpayers Against Poverty is calling on Keir Starmer’s government to make poverty reduction a national mission, backed by clear targets, accountability and long-term investment. “This is not about ideology,” Tom Burgess said. “It is about competence. A serious government does not accept mass poverty as normal. It fixes the system that created it. Britain can choose to end the poverty scandal — if it has the courage to act.” ------------ Notes to editors: The Nicolson Report: Poverty Benefits No-One  is published by Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) and draws on existing research, official statistics, and case studies to assess the scale, cost, and causes of poverty in the UK, and to propose practical policy responses. You can view a draft copy of the report here: Nicolson Poverty Scandal Report OAW Feb 2026 (1).pdf - Google Drive For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, TAP / 0044 07887 724285 Email: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com   Simon Thomson, Director of Communications and Campaigns, TAP / 0044 7941 679353 Email: simon@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org   Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers 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.

Compassion in Politics merges with Taxpayers Against Poverty to maximise impact and shared vision for a more compassionate and just society London, 2 February 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) and Compassion in Politics (CIP) are merging into a single organisation to strengthen and accelerate their work for a more compassionate and just society, bringing together ethical leadership and practical policy action.  Both identities will be retained and strengthened to address each audience with their specific messages. Since 2012, TAP has been 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  suffered by millions, using a direct approach to decision makers and other influencers. CIP brings a complementary force. At a time of rising hostility, dishonesty and performative politics, it has challenged political leaders to act with compassion, integrity and responsibility—not as abstract virtues, but as essential tools for understanding how legislation affects real lives and real outcomes. Jennifer Nadel , CEO & co-founder of Compassion in Politics, said: “Compassion in Politics was created to put humanity, dignity and compassion back at the heart of our political culture. Working ever more closely with Taxpayers Against Poverty allows us to take that mission further—linking values with action, and compassion with concrete policy change. This partnership strengthens our campaigning and gives us a bigger platform to influence how politics treats people in poverty.” Tom Burgess , CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, added: “Bringing our operations together is a practical step that makes sense. It gives us greater capacity, clearer focus and stronger foundations, while preserving the distinct strengths of both organisations. We’re excited to build on what we’ve already achieved together and to accelerate our work on poverty prevention, economic justice and compassionate politics.” As part of the next phase, CIP is partnering with TAP on the Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign and The Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal and How to Fix It , building on their shared commitment to addressing the root causes of poverty and preventing harm before it occurs. The merger also reflects the vision of the late Paul Nicolson, founder of Taxpayers Against Poverty, who believed that lasting change requires principled collaboration and working together to bring sustained pressure for reform. Under the merged structure, Tom Burgess will lead the organisation, which will operate under the umbrella of Taxpayers Against Poverty Ltd, a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee. Jennifer Nadel will lead the Compassion in Politics strategy and campaigning arm. ENDS This announcement is made in line with the formal merger agreement dated January 2026. For media inquiries, interviews, or to support TAP campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org   For media inquiries, interviews, or to support CIP campaigns, please contact: Jennifer Nadel, CEO, Compassion in Politics info@compassioninpolitics.com   www.compassioninpolitics.com   About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers 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.     About Compassion in Politics Compassion in Politics (CIP) is a UK-based movement working to put more honesty, respect and compassion into public life. CIP challenges a political culture that too often causes harm—particularly to people experiencing poverty—and promote a values-led approach that focuses on prevention, fairness and human impact. CIP believes compassion is not a “soft” option, but a practical guide for better policy and better outcomes.   CIP’s work includes campaigns, research, parliamentary engagement and public advocacy, supporting leaders and decision-makers to ask whether policies reduce harm and protect dignity. CIP was founded by Jennifer Nadel and Matt Hawkins in 2018

By Sylvie. Rouhani, TAP Deputy Editor February 2026 In the last Autumn Budget, November 2025, the government ignored the calls from various MPs and organisations, TAP included, to “Tax Wealth, Not Poverty”. In 2026, the super-rich are richer, and disabled people are poorer than ever. Cut to health benefits are going ahead.  Poor and Disabled UK Citizens are getting poorer. Last November, Richard Burgon tabled the EDM 1725 campaign, encouraging MPs to sign the motion to tax wealth, not poverty. However, the Labour Party went ahead with their Autumn Budget, which included more cuts for long term disabled people. The PIP “Four Point Rule” has been shelved, however from April 2026, new Universal Credit claimants, in the Work Capability for Work Related Activity group (LCWRA), will have their benefit cut in half, from £423.27 to £217.26. This change will push disabled individuals into further poverty and will punish them for not being able to work. The aim is to encourage everyone on long term health benefit to go back to work, under the rhetoric that disabled people are being over-diagnosed and too many people are off work. Not understanding that cutting life supporting health benefits, is counterproductive to the aim of helping long-term disabled people back into work. It is also ignoring the reality of many individuals who can’t work, even if they wanted to. In January 2026, Tom Burgess, TAP’s CEO , welcomed the JRF latest Poverty Report  highlighting the high level in poverty in the UK, the current tax inequality, and calling for change. Regarding disabled people living in poverty, the JRF “UK Poverty 2026”  Report states: “In the latest data, there were seventeen million disabled people in the UK — that is, 1 in 4 people (24%) — and almost 4 in 10 families contained at least one person who was disabled. The poverty rate for disabled people was 28%, 8 percentage points higher than the rate for people who were not disabled. Half of all people who were disabled and living in poverty in the latest data had a long-term, limiting mental condition — around 2.4 million people. The poverty rate for this group was 34%, compared with 28% for people with a physical disability.” The super rich are getting richer. For the last two decades, workers’ wages have been frozen, while expenses have doubled. Ordinary working people have paid higher and higher tax rates than asset owners. Housing, being an investment tool rather than a basic necessity, have pushed increases in rent, whilst social and affordable housing have been underfunded. Cuts to the Welfare benefits have led to disabled people getting sicker, becoming homeless and more isolated than ever before, while the richest have been thriving more than ever before. Oxfam  has also recently published damming figures of wealth inequality, together with TAP’s partner, Tax Justice UK. “This year, (2026) the total wealth of the UK’s billionaires grew by 11bn, an average of £30.3 million a day. Meanwhile one in five people in the UK live in poverty.”  The current financial crisis is caused by tax avoidance and the unfair UK tax system, not by the poor disabled people living in dire circumstances, for lack of support. Financial resources need to be fairly distributed where it is most urgent: in free and adequate mental and physical health care, in local communities, in schools, in higher wages and affordable housing for all. It also means to create a compassionate society where the most vulnerable are fully supported, financially and, within a safe environment. As well as wealth inequality, the other core causes of the ever-increasing gap between the richest and the poorest, are lack the lack of understanding and lack of empathy, towards disabled individuals. It is TAP’s mission is to create a fairer society.                                                                    * Our Role in Creating Change   We cannot wait for someone else to act. It’s time to demand better for the millions struggling in poverty—and for the millions more living one unexpected expense away from it. ·       Join us in advocating for a compassionate, fairer society. Here’s how you can help: ·       Speak Up: Contact your MP and demand investment in social care, living wages, and affordable housing. ·       Get Involved: Volunteer or donate to organisations like TAP that fight for systemic change. ·       Stay Informed: Follow TAP’s work and share their message to build awareness. Together, we can create a society where no one is left behind. Let’s make compassion the cornerstone of our nation’s future.   February 2026 - Sylvie Rouhani TAP Deputy Editor and Journalist

On topic letter in the Guardian from Liam Purcell at Church Action on Poverty

A practical programme to reduce poverty, reform taxation, and restore fairness London, 5 January 2026 - Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has today set out its Ten Tasks for 2026  — a focused programme of action building on the progress made last year to tackle poverty, reform the tax system, and ensure public money works for the many, not the few. After a year of growing political traction, stronger alliances, and increased public engagement, TAP is moving decisively from analysis to action. “Poverty in a wealthy country is not inevitable — it is the result of choices,”  said Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty . “Our Ten Tasks for 2026 are about changing those choices.” TAP’s Ten Tasks for 2026 1. Tax wealth more, tax work less TAP will continue to campaign for fairer taxation by shifting the burden away from earned income and onto accumulated wealth. Working with partners including Patriotic Millionaires , Tax Justice UK , and Green New Deal Rising , TAP helped secure over 50 MPs to sign an Early Day Motion (EDM) sponsored by Richard Burgon MP calling for a Wealth Tax wealth taxes signed by over 50 MPs , and created a joint letter to the media signed by over 40 MPs  calling for wealth taxes 2. Make poverty reduction a national goal TAP will campaign to prioritise poverty reduction as a core objective of government and will shortly launch the Nicolson Report  — exposing the scale of the poverty scandal and setting out practical solutions. 3. Abolish Council Tax for renters TAP will campaign to end Council Tax for renters and support the move to a Proportional Property Tax , working with partner Fairer Share . 4. Raise low wages TAP will support efforts to lift pay at the bottom, including backing the work of the Living Wage Foundation , and challenge business models that rely on poverty pay. 5. Build a coalition of MPs for wealth taxes TAP has identified over 100 MPs supportive of taxing wealth fairly and will continue working with them through briefings, evidence, and parliamentary engagement to shift attitudes and policy. 6. Expose how public money funds poverty wages TAP will shine a light on how taxpayer money is used to subsidise low pay — and demand reform so public funds raise standards instead of entrenching hardship. 7. Restore honesty, respect and compassion to public life In partnership with Compassion in Politics , TAP will campaign to bring greater integrity, civility, and humanity into political culture and decision-making. 8. Build a Coalition for Change TAP will work with other campaigning organisations to create a broad-based movement capable of making reform inevitable — lowering the cost of living and expanding opportunity for all. 9. Convince people that change is possible TAP will challenge fatalism and defeatism, showing that bold, determined, collective action can — and does — change outcomes. 10. Work locally to change the system TAP will work with councils, MPs, and communities to deliver real-world change and demonstrate how a fairer system can work in practice. “This is not the full picture — but it is a strong start,”  said Burgess. “If we are bold, determined, and work together, we can reduce poverty and build a fairer society.” Join us 👉  Do join us:   More information — Click Here 👉  Become a member for just £5 per month: Click Here   Taxpayers Against Poverty is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice by promoting economic policies that have a direct effect on reducing poverty and the unnecessary financial hardship. TAP seeks to influence national and local policy with well-researched and robust evidence of hardship and promote practical policy proposals 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 and partner is Compassion in Politics   which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life   For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org

London 13 January 2026 - Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has announced plans to ramp up its team as it enters the next phase of growth, with new funding efforts underway and an expanded programme of campaigning and parliamentary engagement. As part of this expansion, TAP is currently seeking passionate volunteers  to support its work tackling poverty, inequality and unfair public policy. These roles offer an opportunity to contribute directly to campaigns that influence Parliament, public debate and policy outcomes. Tom Burgess , CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said: “Poverty is not inevitable—it is the result of political choices. To change those choices, we need more people involved, more skills at the table and more pressure where it matters. This is a moment to step up. Whether you bring policy expertise, research skills, organising energy or fundraising experience, you can help us build the momentum needed to prevent poverty rather than manage its consequences.” TAP is looking for volunteers to help in the following areas: ·       Parliamentary Relations Building and supporting a cross-party parliamentary coalition, developing briefings and information for MPs and peers. ·       Digital Marketing Specialist Driving a strategic marketing campaign linked to TAP goals across social media channels and other online outlets ·       Membership Manager Growing TAP’s supporter and membership base, supporting donor development, and potentially coordinating volunteer recruitment and development. ·       Researcher / Media Assistant Assisting with research, database management, content creation, media support and campaign outreach. ·       Fundraising Supporting grant research, donor engagement and fundraising initiatives to help sustain and scale TAP’s work. ·       Volunteer Network Expanding and coordinating a growing network of supporters contributing research, local advocacy and outreach. TAP is also working to secure additional funding to support paid roles in the future but is keen to hear now from individuals who want to contribute skills, time and energy to a high-impact campaign focused on poverty prevention and economic justice. Volunteering with TAP offers a chance to be part of a focused, values-driven organisation working to change how public money and policy affect people living in poverty. Please email info@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org if you would like to volunteer. Taxpayers Against Poverty is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice by promoting economic policies that have a direct effect on reducing poverty and unnecessary financial hardship. TAP seeks to influence national and local policy with well-researched and robust evidence of hardship and promote practical policy proposals 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 and partner is Compassion in Politics   which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life   For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org

London, 28 January  — Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP)  welcomes the publication of the latest Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) UK Poverty 2026 report , which shows that levels of hardship in the UK are not only widespread but deeper than at any point in over 30 years . While overall poverty rates remain high, a record 6.8 million people — almost half of those in poverty — are now living in “very deep poverty” , with incomes far below the poverty threshold. The number of people experiencing destitution — unable to afford basics such as food, heat and shelter — remains alarmingly high. ( The Guardian ) Of particular concern are rising child poverty figures , with around 4.5 million children  now living in poverty, rising for the third consecutive year , even as government measures such as the removal of the two-child benefit limit are expected to reduce numbers in future years. ( Reuters ) TAP’s response: immediate, structural action needed While we welcome steps to reduce hardship, the JRF findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty at its roots  — not simply temporary relief or partial measures. The Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal , to be published on 17 February , lays out a strong case that poverty is not only a moral failure, but an economic one , with deep implications for national prosperity. It shows that poverty costs the UK economy tens of billions of pounds every year  through lost productivity, increased pressure on the NHS and social services, and reduced tax receipts — yet there is no coherent national strategy to address it. Tax reform at the centre of solutions Central to TAP’s analysis is the need for tax reform that shifts the balance away from taxing work and consumption and toward fairer taxation of wealth , including: ·       Aligning Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax  to ensure unearned income is not taxed at lower rates than earnings ·       Applying National Insurance to investment income , so wealth holders contribute on similar terms to wage earners ·       Reforming council tax , replacing or revaluing it to reflect real property values and wealth, paid only by owners not renters ·       Reforming Inheritance Tax  by closing loopholes and focusing on larger estates ·       Introducing a modest tax on extreme wealth , aimed at only the very richest These measures would raise significant revenue fairly , allowing increased investment in prevention rather than costly reactive spending. “We already pay for poverty,”  said Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty. “JRF’s latest data show not just persistence but deepening hardship. The Nicolson Report , published next month, outlines how a fairer tax system — one that asks those with the broadest shoulders to contribute — can fund the long-term solutions this country urgently needs.” “We might be the sixth largest economy in the world, but it doesn’t feel like it. Many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and some are finding it especially hard. We have a deeply unequal society – it works for some at top and not for people at bottom. There’s enough wealth in our country. But the system isn’t working, it is delivering unfair results. We have to reform the current system.” About TAP’s forthcoming report The Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal  will be published on 17 February  and will present detailed evidence on the economic impacts of poverty and policy proposals to reduce hardship, with a particular focus on sustainable tax reform and public investment. ENDS Notes to editors: ·       JRF defines “very deep poverty” as incomes below 40% of the national median after housing costs — approximately £16,400 per year for a couple with two children. ( The Guardian ) ·       More details about The Nicolson Report  are available on request. ·       For interviews and comments, contact Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com     About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers 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. For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

Here is an article by TAP Advisory Board member: George Turner. It was first published by Tribune in 2021 but still very relevant today https://tribunemag.co.uk/2021/02/the-real-cheats-are-in-tax-not-benefits

Why Wealth Causes Poverty — and What We Must Do About It By Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty (based on a talk given to Hampstead & Belsize Labour Party 8 January 2026)   Something has gone fundamentally wrong with our tax system. Taxation was never meant to punish people for being poor. It was meant to protect society — to fund the foundations of a decent life and ensure that everyone could meet their basic needs. Yet in the UK today, the tax system often does the opposite. It bears down hardest on those with the least, pushes people into hardship, and then costs the state billions dealing with the consequences. Meanwhile, vast amounts of wealth — wealth created by all of us — sit largely untouched. “We tax people who have the least, push them into hardship, and then spend billions managing the damage.” That failure is not just inefficient. It is immoral. And the most important point of all is this: we know how to fix it .   The uncomfortable truth The truth is simple, though uncomfortable. The problem is not a lack of ideas or evidence. It is a lack of political will. We already understand how poverty is created, and we already know which policies would reduce it. Yet year after year, we choose not to act. Instead, we accept rising inequality as inevitable, even natural, when in reality it is the result of deliberate design choices. At Taxpayers Against Poverty, we believe change begins by going to the root of the problem — and by using the tax system we already have to reduce poverty now, while reshaping it for the future.   What we all want — and why the system fails Across society, people want broadly the same things. Nutritious food. Secure housing. Decent work. Safe communities. The chance not merely to survive, but to thrive. Yet our economic system repeatedly fails to deliver these basics for millions. We live with a set of contradictions that should trouble us deeply. There is enough food, yet people go hungry. We live in democracies, yet economic power is highly concentrated. We know how to live sustainably, yet continue to consume as if resources were infinite. We affirm human rights, yet tolerate profound economic harm. We can do better — and the evidence proves it.   Inequality is not abstract Inequality is not a theoretical concern. It is measurable, visible, and damaging. Countries with higher levels of income and wealth inequality consistently perform worse on almost every meaningful social indicator. Mental illness is more prevalent. Life expectancy is lower. Social trust erodes. Democracies become brittle. The UK and the United States rank among the most unequal wealthy nations — and also among the weakest on social outcomes. This is not coincidence. It is cause and effect. “This isn’t coincidence. It’s cause and effect.”   Why wealth matters more than wages Too often, political debate focuses narrowly on wages while ignoring wealth. But wealth — not income — is where power now sits. Wealth means having more than enough. And today, wealth is increasingly hoarded rather than circulated. When someone struggling receives £100, it is spent immediately in the local economy. When someone already wealthy receives £100, it is far more likely to be saved, invested, or extracted. When wealth stops circulating, opportunity stops with it. “When wealth stops circulating, opportunity stops too.”   Poverty is a policy choice The scale of poverty in the UK is not the result of scarcity. Around 14 million people live in poverty, including more than four million children, at the same time as wealth at the very top continues to surge. The richest 1% now own more wealth than the poorest 70% combined. This tells us something crucial: poverty is not the absence of wealth. It is the result of how wealth is distributed. “Poverty is not inevitable. It is a political choice.”   When public money entrenches poverty Extreme wealth accumulation and poverty are two sides of the same coin. As wealthy individuals and corporations buy up assets — land, housing, infrastructure — everyone else must pay to access them through rent, fees, and debt. At the same time, our tax system remains outdated and deeply regressive. It taxes work far more heavily than wealth, rewards extraction over contribution, and leaves public services underfunded. The result is unnecessary hardship, missed opportunity, and wasted human potential. Public money should be a tool for ending poverty — not entrenching it.   What needs to change If extreme wealth causes poverty, then taxing wealth fairly is not radical — it is rational. A progressive wealth tax on the very richest, aligning capital gains with income tax, and reforming corporation tax to reward genuine social contribution would all reduce inequality while strengthening the economy. Equally important is stopping the practice of taxing people into hardship. It makes no sense to tax income below the level required for a decent life, or to demand council tax from renters who do not own the assets being taxed. A fair property or land value tax would be simpler, fairer, and more effective. Finally, wealth must be reinvested in the public good. No one becomes wealthy alone. Every fortune depends on education, healthcare, infrastructure, law, and security. Reinvesting wealth through fair taxation into the NHS, education, and affordable housing is not punishment — it is repayment. “ Real prosperity is built together — not hoarded at the top.”   What this would achieve Reducing poverty is not just a moral imperative; it is economically sensible. It improves health, boosts productivity, reduces long-term public spending, and rebuilds trust in politics. More equal societies are healthier, safer, and more stable. These outcomes are well-established — and achievable.   What Taxpayers Against Poverty is doing This is why Taxpayers Against Poverty exists. We campaign to tax wealth more and income less, build parliamentary support for reform, challenge policies that entrench hardship, and work with partners to put poverty reduction at the centre of public decision-making. See TAP's Top Ten Tasks for 2026 We also work to bring greater honesty, respect, and compassion into public life — because lasting economic reform requires cultural change as well as policy change.   How you can help Change does not happen by accident. It happens when people challenge the idea that “there is no money”, support organisations pushing for reform, and demand fairness in their communities and political institutions. “The real question is not whether we can afford to tackle poverty — but whether we can afford not to.” Real wealth is not what is hoarded at the top. It is what we build together. The evidence is clear. The solutions are ready. What we need now is the will to act — and that starts with all of us.   For media inquiries, interviews, or to support TAP campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org     About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers 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.

London, 1 December 2025 -  Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) is delighted to announce that Stewart Lansley , one of the UK’s leading voices on inequality, wealth, and poverty, has joined TAP’s Advisory Board. Stewart Lansley is a Visiting Fellow at the School of Policy Studies, University of Bristol , and has written extensively for both academic journals and national newspapers on the social and economic impacts of inequality. He is the author of several influential books, including The Richer, The Poorer (2021), Breadline Britain (2015), and The Cost of Inequality (2011)  — works widely recognised for shaping public understanding of how economic divides harm society. Lansley has held a number of prominent academic posts, is a Council Member of the Progressive Economy Forum , and an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences . He also brings deep experience in public communication as a former Executive Producer in the BBC’s Current Affairs department . His appointment strengthens TAP’s mission to highlight the structural causes of poverty  and champion fair, progressive taxation that ensures wealth contributes back into the public services and systems that create opportunity for all. Tom Burgess, CEO, TAP , said: “Stewart’s insight into the economics of inequality is unmatched. His research has shaped national debate for years, and we are honoured to have him join our Advisory Board. Stewart strengthens our work at a critical time — when poverty is rising, and when the UK urgently needs a tax system that tackles inequality rather than entrenches it.” TAP looks forward to working with Stewart to expand its evidence base, sharpen its policy proposals, and help build a fairer, more equal society. Ends For media inquiries, interviews, or to support our campaigns, please contact: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk   www.realagenda.org Partner & sister organisation: www.compassioninpolitics.com   About Taxpayers Against Poverty Taxpayers against Poverty  is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and social injustice by promoting economic policies that have a direct effect on reducing poverty and the unnecessary financial hardship. TAP seeks to influence national and local policy with well-researched and robust evidence of hardship and promote practical policy proposals 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 and partner is Compassion in Politics   which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life.