Quakers call on politicians to take urgent action on rising poverty
Political leaders must set out clear plans to eradicate extreme poverty and halve overall poverty by 2030 in the UK and globally, senior faith leaders say.
In a statement released on 5 January, faith organisations including Christian Aid and Churches Together in England, said poverty is a scandal and its root causes had been neglected by UK political leaders for too long.
“Poverty is not inevitable – it's a consequence of political choices and priorities. With a General Election on the horizon, we call on our political leaders to make tackling poverty a priority," signatories wrote.
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Poverty has a crushing effect on people's dignity and life chances
- Paul Parker, Recording Clerk
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“The human cost of failing to take action now is too big and too damaging to ignore," they added.
Signed by both development agencies and churches, the statement is a clear demonstration of solidarity in work to tackle poverty globally and in the UK.
The UK has seen a rapid increase in poverty in recent years, worsened by the cost-of-living crisis, against a wider backdrop of extreme levels of inequality.
Around the world, billions live in poverty which prevents them fulfilling their potential.
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Poverty has a crushing effect on people's dignity and life chances, and damages the social fabric, regardless of whether that is here or overseas.
“We believe all human beings are unique, precious, a child of God. We believe in a future where everyone has an equal share in the world's resources and the hope, opportunities and options for living a fulfilling life.
“Unless the gross inequalities of wealth and power are addressed, globally and within UK communities, it will be impossible to realise that future."