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.

London, 20 November 2025 - Ahead of next week’s budget, a cross-party group of 40 MPs have written an open letter to the Chancellor calling on her to consider introducing wealth taxes.  The  letter  has been organised by campaign groups, Taxpayers Against Poverty and Green New Deal Rising. Its signatories include 21 Labour backbenchers, 4 Greens, SNP, Independents, Lib Dem and SDLP MPs.     In the letter, which is published today, the MPs are urging the Chancellor to make this year’s budget a “turning point” for the country by focusing on taxing wealth more and work less.   They say Britain’s tax system continues to overburden those who work hardest while protecting those whose wealth grows passively, writing: “This imbalance is not only unfair – it is economically damaging.”  Wealth taxes are paid on the value of someone’s total assets, such as property, stocks or investments above a certain threshold, rather than on a person’s income from employment.      Steve Witherden is Labour’s MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr and one of the letter’s signatories.  He says with the economy currently flatlining, the government should be using this budget for a re-think on economic policy.  “We need to shift the burden away from ordinary taxpayers and those already struggling with the cost of living. For example, a 2% tax on assets above £10m and bringing capital gains tax in line with income tax rates would be welcome moves.  “Reform came second in nearly 100 seats at the last general election, including mine.   New  research  suggests people considering voting Reform also back the idea of a wealth tax. Introducing one would be a canny political move by the Chancellor, as well as a popular one.”  Consistent  polling  shows a clear majority of the British public support the idea of specific wealth taxes. Those who would most likely be paying such a tax, millionaires, also  support  the idea.     Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty who initiated the letter said:  “Even though Rachel Reeves now seems unlikely to increase the basic rate of income tax for the first time in half a century, that doesn’t mean us general taxpayers won’t still be hit hard in this budget, including the possibility of “stealth taxes” through changes to thresholds.   “One of the clearest ways to reduce poverty and inequality in the UK is through modernising our tax system, so that wealth is taxed more, and income is taxed less.   “Privately many more Labour MPs have been telling us they support the principle of wealth taxes, but don’t feel able to add their name publicly, due to party diktats.     Hannah Martin, Co-Director of Green New Deal Rising, a youth climate justice movement which co-organised the letter. She said:   "This Budget is a final chance for this deeply unpopular government to show us they are on our side. Communities are desperate for investment - in good, green jobs, public services and local highstreets - after more than a decade of underinvestment and austerity.   “Right now, 50 families own more wealth than half the country. So few have never had so much. Yet our tax system massively under-taxes this wealth. It's time to make the super-rich pay their fair share through wealth taxes, to fund investment in a fair, secure, thriving future for everyone.”    The letter follows a similar initiative last year, but with more MPs now openly calling for wealth taxes. Over the last year, the government has fallen further behind in the polls, with Reform UK consistently leading, the Greens, who back wealth taxes gaining support, and there are persistent rumours of a potential leadership challenge to Keir Starmer.   / ends  For media enquiries or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, including with one of the MP signatories, please contact:   Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty  07887 724285   taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com   Simon Thomson, Dir of Campaigns, TAP: 07941 679353 simon@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org    Zak Coleman, Press lead, Green New Deal Rising, 07 895 803955,  press@gndrising.org  or  zakcoleman@gndrising.org     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’s sister organisation and partner is  Compassion in Politics   which seeks to bring more truth respect and compassion into political life.    About Green New Deal Rising:   www.gndrising.org    We are a youth climate justice movement on a mission to take power out of the hands of the billionaires and the oil executives and put it in the hands of our generation – it’s time to force this government to work for us.    --------  Letter in full  Dear Chancellor,      Last year, a cross-party group of MPs urged the Chancellor to make the tax system fairer by asking those with the greatest wealth to contribute more. A year on, the case for doing so has only strengthened.    Britain’s tax system continues to overburden those who work hardest while protecting those whose wealth grows passively. Ordinary families face rising costs of living, crumbling public services, and deepening insecurity, while extreme wealth at the top continues to expand. This imbalance is not only unfair – it is economically damaging.    We are calling on you to make this year’s Autumn Budget a turning point by focusing on  taxing wealth more and work less . A fairer approach to wealth taxation would:    ·       Reduce poverty and inequality  by ensuring those with the broadest shoulders contribute their fair share.  ·       Ease the pressure on working families , allowing more people to thrive rather than merely survive.  ·       Provide sustainable funding for public services  like education, health, housing, and social care – the foundations of a fair and productive society.   This is not about punishing success or creating division. It is about fairness, balance, and responsibility. Britain cannot thrive when wealth accumulates at the top while millions struggle to make ends meet.  We urge you to act with courage and clarity: reform the tax system so that it rewards effort, not advantage, and builds a future that works for everyone.    Yours sincerely,    Diane Abbott — Hackney North & Stoke Newington — Labour  Shockat Adam — Leicester South — Independent  Olivia Blake — Sheffield Hallam — Labour  Apsana Begum — Poplar and Limehouse — Labour  Richard Burgon — Leeds East — Labour  Dawn Butler — Brent East — Labour   Ian Byrne — Liverpool West Derby — Labour  Dr Ellie Chowns — North Herefordshire — Green Party  Carla Denyer — Bristol Central — Green Party  Bobby Dean — Carshalton & Wallington — Lib Dem  Jeremy Corbyn — Islington North — Independent  Alex Easton — North Down — Independent  Colum Eastwood — Foyle — SDLP  Sorcha Eastwood — Lagan Valley — Alliance Party  Neil Duncan-Jordan — Poole — Labour  Claire Hanna — Belfast South and Mid Down — SDLP  Adnan Hussain — Blackburn — Independent  Imran Hussain — Bradford East — Labour  Kim Johnson — Liverpool Riverside — Labour  Ayoub Khan — Birmingham Perry Barr — Independent  Ben Lake — Ceredigion Preseli — Plaid Cymru  Ian Lavery — Blyth and Ashington — Labour  Graham Leadbitter — Moray West, Nairn & Strathspey — SNP  Brian Leishman — Alloa and Grangemouth — Independent  Emma Lewell — South Shields — Labour  Clive Lewis — Norwich South — Labour  Rebecca Long Bailey — Salford — Labour  Rachael Maskell — York Central — Labour  Andy McDonald — Middlesbrough and Thornaby East — Labour  John McDonnell — Hayes and Harlington — Labour  Iqbal Mohamed — Dewsbury and Batley — Independent  Kate Osborne — Jarrow and Gateshead East — Labour  Adrian Ramsay — Waveney Valley — Green Party  Bell Ribeiro-Addy — Clapham & Brixton Hill — Labour  Seamus Logan — Aberdeenshire North and Moray East — SNP  Jon Trickett — Normanton and Hemsworth — Labour  Nadia Whittome — Nottingham East — Labour  Steve Witherden — Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr — Labour  Siân Berry — Brighton Pavilion — Green Party  Zarah Sultana — Coventry South — Independent

London, Wednesday 26 November 2025 - Following today’s Budget announcement by the Chancellor, Taxpayers Against Poverty is expressing its deep disappointment at the measurers unveiled, calling it a “missed opportunity.” TAP CEO, Tom Burgess said: “This is a budget that once again papers over the cracks of a tax system that is outdated, unfair and incapable of addressing the scale of inequality we face in the UK. “This was a sticking plaster budget, with a variety of tax changes and stealth taxes, for example, freezing income tax thresholds again, to try and address the multi-billion pound black hole in the country’s finances, as a result of a flatlining economy. “This myriad of changes was all so that the government could say it kept to its manifesto promise of not raising the basic rate of income tax, national insurance or VAT.” TAP welcomes news that the government is ending the two-child cap on means-tested benefits, which the government says will help lift 450,000 children out of poverty by the end of the decade. But in total, an estimated 14 million people are still living in poverty in the UK – the world’s six largest economy. Many families are struggling with the rising cost of living, while extraordinary levels of wealth continue to accumulate in the hands of a small minority. “The Chancellor talked a lot in her Budget delivery of taxing the wealthiest more,” Tom Burgess said. “But in reality, we saw tinkering at the edges and no wholesale changes which could have made a real difference to people’s lives. There are new property taxes on homes worth over £2m, but very little to help the millions who are struggling with ever-rising rents.” TAP supports the idea of a specific wealth tax of 2% tax on assets above £10m, which it is estimated could raise up to £25bn annually to invest in health, housing, education and infrastructure and made a real difference to addressing long term poverty issues in the UK. Polling shows that the idea is consistently popular with the public, and the people most likely to pay the tax, millionaires, also  support  the idea. “Overall, the budget has failed to set out a clear vision for how the tax system must evolve to meet the needs of a country where millions are struggling, while extraordinary levels of wealth continue to accumulate in the hands of a small minority,” Tom Burgess said. “We need a fundamental shift in direction. We need a modern tax system, which ensures that the vast wealth accumulated by the few is fairly invested back into the public services  that made that wealth possible — education, health, welfare, social care, and local infrastructure. That’s how we can address long term poverty issues in this country once and for all.”   “We cannot keep papering over the cracks. Until we tax extreme wealth more — and earned income less — we will continue to fail the millions who are struggling. It’s time for a serious change of direction." TAP urges the Government to adopt a bold strategy that includes: ·       A genuine wealth tax ·       Aligning Capital Gains Tax with Income Tax ·       Reducing the burden of income-based taxes , including unfair council tax rates that hit renters and low-income households ·       A long-term plan to build a tax system that is fair, modern, and genuinely redistributive TAP stands ready to work with all parties and campaigners who recognise that fair taxation is the foundation of a fair society . / ends 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: Taxpayers Against Poverty📧  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com 🌐  www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/17/reeves-should-put-wealth-tax-on-the-budget-table Guardian headline: Reeves should put wealth tax on the budget table Tom Burgess of Taxpayers Against Poverty says the public and a significant number of Labour MPs are in favour of such a tax Mon 17 Nov 2025 18.24 CET   It now seems likely that Rachel Reeves will avoid the ignominy of becoming the first chancellor in more than half a century to raise the basic rate of income tax in her budget next Wednesday ( Rachel Reeves plans £7.5bn tax rise in budget after U-turn on income tax rates, 14 November ). That doesn’t mean we taxpayers won’t be hit elsewhere in the budget, though, including the possibility of stealth taxes through changes to thresholds. But there is another option – one that is fair, popular with the public and supported by a significant number of Labour MPs: a wealth tax. Introducing a 2% tax on assets above £10m would raise up to £25bn annually to invest in health, housing, education and infrastructure. Polling shows that the idea is consistently popular with the public, and the people most likely to pay the tax, millionaires, also  support  the idea. Taxpayers Against Poverty  campaigns  to reduce poverty and inequality through practical and fair economic policies. We believe that one of the clearest ways to do this is by modernising the tax system so that wealth is taxed more and income is taxed less. More than 50 MPs have now signed early day motion  1725,  which calls for the government to consider proposals for a fair wealth tax ahead of the budget. Privately, many more Labour MPs have been telling us that they support a wealth tax, but don’t feel able to add their name publicly, due to party diktats. The government seems intent on preventing open discussion of the merits of a fair wealth tax despite its popularity among the public and its own MPs. By doing so, it is missing an opportunity to genuinely reform the UK’s outdated tax system – reform that would see excessive wealth accumulated by the few, but created by us all, reinvested to reduce poverty and inequality, and boost economic growth. Tom Burgess, Chief Executive, Taxpayers Against Poverty I

London 17 November 2025 - The number of MPs who have signed Richard Burgon MP’s Early Day Motion  (EDM) calling for a fair wealth tax has now reached 51. Many more have said they support this proposal but felt unable to be open, due to party sensitivities. Working in close partnership with Richard Burgon MP, Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has been leading the charge through its “Tax Wealth, Not Poverty”  campaign, engaging MPs across Parliament with a simple message: the wealth of the few must help rebuild opportunity for the many. Over the past few months, TAP volunteers and supporters have personally contacted dozens of MPs through calls, emails, and constituency outreach — persuading more than 20 new signatories to add their names to in recent weeks. Tom Burgess , CEO Taxpayers Against Poverty, said: “We’re delighted to see momentum growing behind Richard Burgon’s call for a wealth tax and to be a part of that achievement. Our Tax Wealth, Not Poverty  campaign is about common sense — ensuring that those who’ve done well contribute fairly to the public good. Fifty-one MPs is an important milestone, but this is just the start. The British people deserve a system that rewards work, not extreme wealth.” Amongst the many initiatives in the TAP campaign is a letter to the media signed by many MPs calling for taxes on wealth. TAP will continue working with MPs, peers, and campaign partners to build cross-party backing for a fair wealth contribution — one that strengthens public services, reduces inequality, and helps create a more compassionate economy. ENDS Media contact: Taxpayers Against Poverty📧  taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com 🌐  www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk 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 Partner & sister organisation: www.compassioninpolitics.com