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CREDIBILITY GAP ON RESCUE PLAN FOR THE UK ECONOMY

Media Release: Thursday 18th February 2010

Once in a generation opportunity to close the gap on rich-poor divide

Twenty six leading poverty experts have today challenged the Chancellor and Opposition finance ministers to seize a once in a generation opportunity to close the gap between rich and poor.

In a week that has seen inflation spike, unemployment rise and public sector finances deteriorate further, poverty experts from the Get Fair coalition are calling for political consensus to build a credible plan for a lasting reduction in poverty in the UK.

Earlier this week leading economists called for a “credible plan” to eliminate the structural current budget deficit within five years. To be credible, they said the process “should be mindful of its impact on society’s more vulnerable groups”. Poverty experts today added their call for a rigorous ‘poverty-impact’ review of the political parties’ rescue plans for the economy, adding: “This is a time of unprecedented challenges in public expenditure and political leadership. 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.”

A full copy of the letter is attached below.

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.

For media enquiries contact: Jonathan Hopkins, m.07899 877210

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