In a recent open letter to all three major political parties, we have called for a credible plan to reduce poverty in the UK and redress structural weaknesses. As part of a coalition of 25 leading poverty organisations, the Manna Society has called for a rigorous review of the impact of poverty on more vulnerable groups. There is a need for political consensus for such a plan to succeed to face off once in a generation unprecedented challenges.

Despite relative prosperity during the last decade, one in five people in the UK have lived in poverty and the situation would get worse during this economic downturn if adequate measures are not taken to address the problem. It is therefore incumbent on all political parties to include concrete measures in their general election manifestos and spending proposals to achieve a lasting reduction in poverty in the UK. As we see it, ending poverty across all generations requires a combination of boosting incomes, investing in affordable housing and ensuring public services are of high quality and accessible to all, without discrimination.


18th February 2010

An Open Letter to:


Rt Hon A Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
Hon G Osborne MP, Shadow Chancellor
Hon Dr V Cable MP, Shadow Chancellor

A Fairer Society for All

The Get Fair coalition represents over sixty national organisations campaigning against poverty in the United Kingdom, from children and older people’s organisations, refugee, disability, housing, faith and community groups. Our collective concern is to ensure decent incomes and living standards, for a fairer society for all. The pre-Budget Report signalled spending priorities “driven by the values of fairness and opportunity”. We have since been warned that the next spending review will be the “toughest we have had for twenty years.” As we head towards the general election we fear the political parties will compete on who can go furthest making cuts in public expenditure. It is vital that we build consensus on protection measures for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. In building a new economy out of the old, it remains imperative to address structural weaknesses that led to one in five living in poverty during the last decade of relative prosperity. We are therefore calling for a rigorous assessment of the impact on poverty reduction of the 2010 Budget, election manifesto commitments and Comprehensive Spending Review to follow. This is a time of unprecedented challenges in public expenditure and political leadership. Ending poverty across all generations requires a combination of boosting incomes, investing in affordable housing and ensuring public services are of high quality and accessible to all, without discrimination. It is incumbent on all political parties to include concrete measures in their general election manifestos and spending proposals to achieve a lasting reduction in poverty in the UK.

Yours sincerely

Vanessa Stanislas Chief Executive Disability Alliance
Niall Cooper National Coordinator Church Action on Poverty
Kate Wareing Director UK Poverty Oxfam
David Orr Chief Executive, National Housing Federation
Andrew Harrop Acting Charity Director, Age Concern and Help the Aged
Fergus Drake, Director UK programmes Save the Children
Donna Covey Chief Executive, Refugee Council
Seyi Obakin Chief Executive, Centrepoint
Toby Blume Chief Executive Urban Forum
Matthew Scott Director, Community Sector Coalition
Leslie Morphy Chief Executive, Crisis
Richard Mortimer Deputy General Secretary The United Reformed Church
Revd Jonathan Edwards General Secretary, Baptist Union of Great Britain
Dann Kenningham ATD Fourth World
Danny Curtin YCW National President