By Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty 15 May 2026 Britain feels increasingly stuck. Millions of people are working harder while feeling less secure. Housing costs remain painfully high. Public services are under pressure. Inequality continues to widen. And many people feel politics no longer offers a serious long-term vision for improving the country. At Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP), we believe the central challenge facing Britain is no longer whether change is necessary. It is whether politics is prepared to think boldly enough to deliver it. Because the reality is this: Britain cannot continue spending billions managing the consequences of poverty, inequality, and rising financial hardship while leaving many of the underlying causes untouched. We need a different approach — one focused on prevention, long-term thinking, and improving the wellbeing of the majority of people. That means being willing to rethink taxation, housing, democracy, infrastructure, and how we measure national success itself. A New Way of Measuring Success For too long, governments have measured success almost entirely through GDP growth. But GDP alone does not tell us whether: · people feel financially secure · families can afford housing · communities are thriving · living standards are improving · people feel hopeful about the future That is why Britain should adopt the National Wellbeing Dashboard alongside economic growth measures. Government policy should ultimately be judged not just by economic output, but by the quality of life it creates. Ten Bold Moves Britain Could Take Now 1. Reduce the Cost of Living Through Tax Reform The tax burden on work and ordinary households has become too high. Council tax is increasingly seen as outdated and regressive. Millions of renters and lower-income households are under constant financial pressure. TAP proposes abolishing council tax for approximately 35% of households, particularly lower-income renters, while moving toward a fairer proportional property or land value-based system. Stamp duty should also be abolished for ordinary residential transactions. People should not be penalised simply for trying to move home, relocate for work, or improve their living situation. At the same time, the income tax threshold should be raised significantly — potentially to £30,000 — so that working people can meet basic living costs before paying substantial tax. The principle is simple: Tax work less. Tax accumulated wealth more fairly. 2. Rebalance the Tax System Britain increasingly taxes earned income more heavily than accumulated wealth. That imbalance contributes to rising inequality and declining economic mobility. A modest wealth tax on assets above £10 million, alongside aligning capital gains tax more closely with income tax, could generate significant revenue while affecting only a very small proportion of the population. This is not about punishing success. It is about restoring balance and reducing pressure on ordinary households. 3. Modernise British Democracy Britain increasingly operates as a multi-party democracy while still using political structures designed for a two-party system. That creates frustration and weakens trust. Introducing proportional representation would: · better reflect voter preferences · encourage collaboration · reduce tribal politics · strengthen democratic legitimacy Parliament itself also needs renewal. Rather than spending vast sums endlessly repairing an ageing Palace of Westminster, Britain should consider developing a modern parliamentary structure better suited to a collaborative multi-party democracy, alongside reforming the House of Lords and reducing the influence of large political donations. 4. End Homelessness Homelessness in one of the wealthiest countries on earth should not be accepted as inevitable. Evidence increasingly shows that preventing homelessness costs far less than managing its consequences through emergency accommodation, health pressures, and social breakdown. A serious national homelessness prevention strategy would not only improve lives but reduce long-term public expenditure. 5. Build Affordable Communities Around Rail Infrastructure Britain faces a housing crisis not simply because of housing shortages, but because of poor planning and unequal economic concentration. TAP proposes building up to 1.2 million homes on publicly owned land near rail stations outside major cities while retaining public ownership of the land itself. T his could: · improve affordability · strengthen regional economies · reduce pressure on London and the South East · increase connectivity and opportunity 6. Treat Climate and Energy as Economic Issues Energy insecurity and rising utility costs increasingly affect living standards and national resilience. Britain should take a far more ambitious approach to: · renewable energy · insulation · grid infrastructure · long-term energy independence Reducing emissions and reducing household costs should be viewed as complementary goals, not competing ones. Why Boldness Matters Britain now risks: · entrenched inequality · permanent financial insecurity · political fragmentation · declining trust in institutions Incrementalism alone is unlikely to solve challenges of this scale. What is increasingly required is: · bold leadership · long-term thinking · a credible national vision Not endless management of decline. But a serious plan to build a fairer, more resilient, more hopeful country. At TAP, we believe these ideas are not radical because they are extreme. They are radical because politics has become too cautious to discuss meaningful long-term change. And that must change. And that starts with leadership, new leadership Ends For more information, media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.comWebsite: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers 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.

11 May 2026 My fellow citizens, For too long, politics in Britain has been dominated by caution, short-term thinking, and the management of decline. People have worked harder, worried more, and felt less secure. Millions of families who do everything right still struggle with housing costs, taxation, financial pressure, and a growing sense that the country no longer works for ordinary people. Tonight, I want to speak honestly: Britain cannot build a stronger future while so many people feel economically trapped, insecure, or left behind. And so today, this government is choosing a different path. A bold path. A fairer path. A path built not around managing poverty and hardship — but preventing them. Because the purpose of a modern economy is not simply to create wealth. It is to improve the wellbeing, security, and opportunities of the people who live within it. And from this moment forward, that will be the guiding principle of this government. We will begin with the biggest pressure facing millions of households: the cost of living. Council tax is outdated, regressive, and unfair. It punishes ordinary households regardless of real ability to pay. So we will abolish council tax for approximately 9 million lower and middle-income households, those renting their homes — immediately reducing financial pressure for millions of families. At the same time, we will abolish stamp duty for ordinary homeowners and movers. Because people should not be taxed simply for trying to move closer to work, downsize, upsize, or build a better life. We will also raise the income tax threshold to £30,000. If you are earning modest wages, working hard, contributing to society, you should not be taxed before you can comfortably meet the basic cost of living. This will increase disposable income for millions of people and restore a basic principle of fairness: work should provide security and opportunity. And we will fund these changes fairly. Not through austerity. Not through more borrowing. But by rebalancing a tax system that has increasingly favoured accumulated wealth over work. We will introduce a modest wealth tax on assets above £10 million. And we will align capital gains tax more closely with income tax so that income from wealth is not taxed more lightly than income from work. This is not about punishing success. It is about restoring balance, fairness, and social stability. But economic security is not enough on its own. A successful country must also provide dignity. So this government will commit to ending mass homelessness in Britain. In one of the wealthiest countries on earth, hundreds of thousands of people remain without stable housing. This is not inevitable. It is a political choice. And we are choosing differently. We will also launch the largest community housing and transport regeneration programme in generations. Using publicly owned land around rail stations outside major cities, we will support the development of up to 1.2 million new homes. Beautiful, connected communities. Homes linked to transport, jobs, and opportunity. Crucially, local government will retain ownership of the land itself — ensuring long-term public value rather than permanent private extraction. Because housing should serve society, not merely speculation. And we will change how government measures success. For too long, governments have focused narrowly on GDP while ignoring the daily lived experience of the population. From now on, Britain will introduce a national Wellbeing Index alongside economic growth measures. Because what matters is not simply how wealthy a country becomes. What matters is: whether people feel secure whether communities thrive whether families can build stable lives whether opportunity is genuinely shared And finally, we must renew our democracy itself. Britain is no longer a two-party country. People increasingly feel unheard and unrepresented. So this government will begin the process of introducing proportional representation, ensuring that Parliament more accurately reflects the voices and choices of the British people. Because democracy functions best when people believe their vote matters. At the same time we will start on a new Houses of Parliament, one fit for modern times and our multi party society and also we will democartise the House of Lords My fellow citizens, None of this is small. None of this is timid. And none of this can be achieved through fear of change. But Britain has never moved forward through caution alone. We built the NHS. We rebuilt after war. We created great institutions because previous generations were prepared to think boldly about the future. Now it is our turn. The challenges we face are real. But so is the opportunity before us. We can build a country that is: fairer more secure more prosperous and more hopeful A Britain where prosperity is widely shared. Where work delivers dignity. Where housing is attainable. Where poverty is prevented, not endlessly managed. And where politics once again serves the wellbeing of the many. That is the future we choose tonight. And together, that is the future we will build. Written by Tom Burgess for the person who is the next visionary leader of the United Kingdom For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, TAP / +44 7887 724285Email: campaigns@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers 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: media@taxpayersagainspoverty.org Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

London, Saturday 9 May 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) says the results of the local elections reflect a growing public demand for bold leadership, a credible long-term vision, and practical solutions to the economic pressures facing millions across the UK. TAP said the elections exposed increasing frustration with politics that feels reactive, short-term, and disconnected from the day-to-day realities of ordinary people. Tom Burgess, CEO of TAP, said:“These results show that many people no longer feel the traditional political approach is working for them. Voters are looking for something more than slogans and short-term announcements. They want a clear vision, a practical plan, and leadership with the courage to address the deeper problems affecting the country.” TAP said rising financial insecurity, pressure on living standards, housing costs, inequality, and in-work poverty are now affecting a significant proportion of the population and cannot continue to be treated as isolated issues. “The reality is that millions of people are working harder while feeling less secure,” Burgess added. “Until we seriously tackle poverty, inequality, and the wider financial hardship now experienced across much of society, trust in politics and confidence in the future will continue to decline.” TAP believes meaningful change requires a shift away from constant crisis management toward long-term prevention-focused policy. Through its Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign, TAP is advocating for: · Lower tax burdens on low and middle incomes · Fairer taxation systems that reduce inequality · Reform of outdated property taxes · Action on housing and energy costs · Policies that prevent poverty before crisis occurs “These are not abstract political ideas,” Burgess said. “They are practical reforms that would make a real and immediate difference to the lives of the majority of people.” TAP warned that without a coherent long-term economic and social vision, political fragmentation and public frustration are likely to deepen further. “The country does not lack resources or potential,” Burgess said. “What has been lacking is the leadership and long-term thinking needed to build a fairer, more stable and more hopeful future.” TAP is currently building cross-party support for its Prioritise Poverty Prevention Pledge, with MPs from five political parties already backing the initiative. ENDS For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.comWebsite: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers 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 23 April 2026: Twenty MPs have become founding supporters of a new Parliamentary Poverty Prevention Caucus, alongside a national pledge and public petition calling on the Government to make poverty prevention a central priority of national policy.   The initiative, led by campaign group Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) in partnership with Compassion in Politics, brings together MPs from across parties to develop a coordinated, prevention-led approach to tackling poverty and inequality. With global instability, economic uncertainty, and ongoing cost-of-living pressures continuing to affect the UK economy, campaigners warn that more households risk falling into hardship, unless government action shifts from managing poverty to preventing it.   At the core of the initiative is a unified pledge signed by all Parliamentary supporters: “I pledge to prioritise policies preventing poverty and inequality, acting with integrity, respect, and compassion in Parliament and my constituency.”   Alongside the parliamentary initiative and pledge, TAP is also launching a national petition, enabling the public to call on the government and MPs to prioritise poverty prevention in national policy.   TAP says the UK lacks a coherent national poverty prevention strategy, and that billions are spent managing hardship’s consequences rather than its root causes. The Parliamentary Poverty Prevention Caucus will bring together MPs, policy experts, and civil society organisations to develop practical solutions for addressing the structural causes of poverty and improve long-term economic resilience.   Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said: “In a time of global instability and economic pressure, we are seeing more families pushed to the edge. Britain spends billions dealing with the consequences of poverty, yet far too little preventing it.   The recently published Nicolson Report makes clear that a prevention-led approach is not only the right moral choice, but an economic necessity. Preventing poverty reduces long-term pressure on public services, strengthens public finances, and improves life chances across the country.”   A launch event for the Parliamentary Poverty Prevention Caucus will take place in Westminster later this year. / ENDS   Notes to Editors:  The founding MPs are: Neil Duncan-Jordan Labour Poole Ann Davies Plaid Cymru Caerfyrddin  Iqbal Mohamed Independent Dewsbury and Batley  Ellie Chowns Green Party North Herefordshire Steve Witherden Labour Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Richard Burgon Labour Leeds East Andrew George Lib Dem St Ives Bell Ribeiro-Addy Labour Clapham and Brixton Hill  John McDonnell Labour Hayes and Harlington  Siân Berry Green Party Brighton Pavilion  Dr Simon Opher Labour Stroud Cat Eccles Labour Stourbridge Carla Denyer Green Party Bristol Central Adrian Ramsay Green Party Waveney Valley Hannah Spencer Green Party Gorton and Denton Nadia Whittome Labour Nottingham East  Kim Johnson Labour Liverpool Riverside  Kirsty Blackman SNP Aberdeen North Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East  Clive Lewis Labour Norwich South   The Nicolson Report, Poverty Benefits No-One, 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:  Constituency level poverty figures for child poverty available in attached excel file - source: Households Below Average Income (HBAI) statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) statistics - GOV.UK   For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:Tom Burgess, CEO, TAP / +44 7887 724285Email: campaigns@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org Simon Thomson, Director of Communications and Campaigns, TAP  Email: simon@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org  Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org.uk    About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers 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: media@taxpayersagainspoverty.org Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

London, 31 March 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) recently launched its national Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign—an urgent push to reposition poverty prevention at the centre of UK economic policy. As part of the campaign, TAP today announced the Prioritise Poverty Prevention Partner Programme, inviting like-minded organisations to join a coordinated effort to drive political, public, and policy change. The Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign is built on a simple, evidence-backed proposition: The UK cannot afford to keep managing poverty—it must start preventing it. Despite rising public spending, poverty remains persistently high. TAP says this is the result of a system focused on late, expensive intervention rather than early, effective prevention. Tom Burgess, CEO of TAP, said:“We are spending billions dealing with the consequences of poverty while failing to prevent it. That is not just unjust—it is economically irrational. This campaign is about fixing that.” The Partner Programme is a core part of the wider campaign—designed to bring together organisations already working on these issues and amplify their impact through collective action. Partners will: · Amplify their voice through a coordinated national campaign · Strengthen political influence via the Prioritise Poverty Prevention Pledge, with MPs supported through policy, media, and messaging · Mobilise public support through a national petition · Shape policy direction through shared, evidence-based solutions · Gain visibility as part of a credible, cross-sector coalition TAP will actively support MPs who sign the pledge with briefings, media opportunities, and practical tools—creating a direct route from campaign to policy influence. The programme is flexible, aligned and immediate designed for maximum impact with minimal burden: · Support the campaign publicly · Share messaging and the petition through your channels · Collaborate on opportunities where aligned No heavy structures. No duplication. No loss of independence. The campaign is grounded in the Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal, which shows that preventing poverty is significantly more effective—and less costly—than managing its consequences. The Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign turns that evidence into: · Political commitment (MP pledge) · Public demand (petition) · Practical policy pathways With rising costs, growing inequality, and increasing pressure on public services, TAP says this is a defining moment. “This is not about joining another campaign,” Burgess said. “It is a moment to lead, not follow. It’s about being part of the shift that finally makes prevention the priority. The organisations that step forward now will help define that change.” Like minded organisations are now invited to join the Prioritise Poverty Prevention Partner Programme and help drive a coordinated national push for change. ENDS For more information or to partner on the campaign: campaigns@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org For media enquiries, interviews, or comment: Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.orgWebsite: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org About Taxpayers Against PovertyTaxpayers 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, 27 March 2026 – Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has responded to the latest UK government announcement on poverty levels, warning that the figures confirm a deepening national failure to protect millions from financial hardship.   Released on 26 April, the new data  that poverty remains persistently high, with growing pressure on low- and middle-income households as living costs continue to outpace incomes. TAP says this is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices.   Tom Burgess, CEO of TAP, said: “Once again, we are seeing the consequences of a system that reacts too late and spends too much managing crisis instead of preventing it. Poverty is not just a social issue—it is an economic failure that costs the country far more in the long run.”   TAP highlighted that current approaches rely heavily on downstream interventions—temporary support, crisis payments, and emergency services—rather than addressing the root causes of poverty.   As part of its Prioritise Poverty Prevention  campaign, TAP is calling for a fundamental shift in how government approaches poverty—placing prevention at the centre of economic policy rather than relying on costly, reactive measures.   “Every pound spent dealing with the consequences of poverty could have been used far more effectively to prevent it,” Tom Burgess added. “This is not just about compassion—it is about sound economic management.”   Through its campaign, TAP is advocating for:   Ensuring incomes cover the real cost of living Reducing structural cost pressures such as housing and energy Investing in early intervention to stop people falling into hardship Aligning public spending with long-term outcomes, not short-term fixes Reform of the systemic unfairness of UK taxation system     TAP warns that failure to act will continue to drive higher public spending, lower productivity, and increased pressure on public services.   “The question is no longer whether we can afford to tackle poverty,” Burgess said. “It is whether we can afford not to.”   TAP is urging policymakers across all parties to back its Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign and make prevention the foundation of UK economic policy. Ends For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty Email: media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.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.

March 2026, article by Sylvie Rouhani, Deputy Editor, Taxpayers Against Poverty     Since 2010, subsequent governments have pushed austerity policies, specifically aimed at the most vulnerable people in the UK. Millions are pushed into severe poverty. With the Spring Budget ahead, it is time look at the real Cost of Living Crisis: the loss of human life. Poor Healthy Life Expectancy The Cost of Living Crisis is the term describing the increasing financial difficulties UK citizens have experienced since 2010, caused by a financial crisis, low wages, high rent, high taxes for working class and poor people, as well as a lack of affordable and social housing, severe cuts to education and health services. On 19 February 2026, in its latest Healthy Life expectancy report , the ONS found that healthy life expectancy (HLE) is at its lowest. More people than ever are living in poor health. Men can expect to live 18 years of their lives in poor health. Women can expect to live 22.5, in poor health. All of those measures resulting in the real cost of the living crisis: lower life expectancy and the increasing loss of human life. In 2025,an IZA, Institute of Labor Economics’ Discussion Paper “The Impact of Austerity on Mortality and Life Expectancy”  finds the austerity policies reduced life expectancy by a three year setback, between 2010 and 2019. An equivalent of 190 000 excess deaths. UK citizens have lost between 2.5 and 5 months of life expectancy, since 2019, with women more affected than men. Already under duress, the NHS has never recovered from the COVID-19 epidemic. Patients experience delays and setback getting their treatment. With low wages and lack of adequate financial support, many are pushed beyond their physical and emotional limits. Deaths by suicide linked to DWP’s managing of benefits claims. The National Audit Office  – NAO, has published a damming report: since 2014-15, 69 deaths by suicides have been linked to the DWP’s mishandling of benefit claims. It highlights the fact that DWP has no robust record of contact from coroners, nor are there clear means for coroners to inform DWPs of their findings. The Department staff isn’t always aware of its Internal Process Review guidance, and the guidance doesn’t highlight the full list of issues that could trigger an IPR. Therefore, there are strong chances that the number of deaths by suicide is much higher than the recorded sixty-nine cases, for the past 6 years. DWP has only recently been more initiative-taking in conducting IPRs for cases linked to claimant’s suicide, as cases reached public scrutiny. There is a clear lack of safeguarding issues and lack of accountability, and a lack of compassion, which results in claimants to lose hope. The Nicolson Report offers achievable solutions for all. Published last month, The Nicolson Report- Poverty Benefits No-One. - offers the recommendations addressing all the issues faced ordinary citizens, and that are the root causes of the lowering of life expectancy and the loss of lives, including: 1.    Guarantee the essentials – restore adequacy to social security. 2.    Make work pay and be rewarded. 3.    Boost support for families with children. 4.    Support unpaid carers and people with disabilities. 5.    Ensuring housing affordability and security 6.    Strengthen the safety net and crisis support. 7.    Make local taxation more aggressive. 8.    Tax extreme wealth and unearned income. 9.    Monitor progress and enforce accountability. Briefly, extreme wealth needs to be taxed and redirected where it matters: in giving security, support, and accessible resources for all. The poor, the sick, the elderly and young adults all need safe places to land, adequate income to thrive and a supportive environment to live in. Every life matters.   *   For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, TAP / 0044 7887 724285 Email: tom@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org 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.   Sylvie Rouhani, Deputy Editor, Taxpayers Against Poverty  - March 2026

London 16 March 2026 - Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) has launched a new national campaign calling on politicians to place poverty prevention at the centre of public policy , following the publication of the Nicolson Report . The campaign, Prioritise Poverty Prevention , urges policymakers to shift away from managing the consequences of poverty and instead focus on preventing hardship before it occurs. The Nicolson Report — named after the late Rev. Paul Nicolson, the pioneering anti-poverty campaigner and TAP founder who helped establish the Real Living Wage and led groundbreaking research into the income required to meet basic needs — sets out the economic and social case for a prevention-led approach to poverty. The report argues that poverty is not only a moral issue but a structural economic problem that places significant long-term costs on public services, the economy and society as a whole. Launching the campaign, Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty , said: “Britain spends billions managing the consequences of poverty, yet far too little preventing it. The Nicolson Report makes clear that preventing hardship is not only the right thing to do, it is also economically sensible. A prevention-led strategy would strengthen public finances, reduce pressure on public services and improve life chances for millions.” The Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign will seek to build cross-party support in Parliament and wider public backing for policies that tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality. As part of the campaign, TAP is encouraging MPs and members of the public to sign the Poverty Prevention Pledge , committing to support political decisions that reduce poverty and inequality while strengthening long-term national prosperity. The organisation is also working to establish a cross-party parliamentary coalition focused on poverty prevention , bringing together MPs, policy experts and civil society organisations to develop practical solutions. “The UK has no coherent national strategy for preventing poverty,” Burgess added.“Too often we respond only after people have already fallen into hardship. The aim of this campaign is to change that. Preventing poverty should be recognised as a central test of responsible government.” The campaign will include parliamentary engagement, policy briefings and public outreach aimed at building momentum for a prevention-led approach to tackling poverty and inequality. ENDS For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against PovertyEmail: media@taxpayersagainspoverty.org Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.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, UK —  27 February 2026 Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP) welcomes the result of the Gorton and Denton by-election, which has delivered a clear message: poverty, inequality and financial hardship can no longer sit at the margins of political debate. The winning candidate placed the lived reality of millions — rising costs, insecure incomes and widening inequality — at the centre of their campaign. Voters responded. This result is not simply a local outcome. It is a signal. Tom Burgess, CEO of Taxpayers Against Poverty, said: “When millions are struggling to afford housing, energy and essentials, voters are no longer satisfied with cautious language and incremental adjustments. Voters want leadership that understands the scale of financial hardship in this country and is willing to address it with determination and clarity.” Across the UK, millions face rising living costs, insecure incomes and unaffordable housing. While many had hoped that the current government would place poverty prevention at the heart of its programme, there is widespread disappointment that structural reform has not yet materialised at the pace or scale required. The Gorton and Denton result highlights a broader shift in British politics. Increasingly, voters are challenging the dominance of the traditional two-party system and expressing frustration with politics that fails to deliver meaningful economic fairness. Burgess added: “The outdated first-past-the-post system no longer reflects the diversity of political opinion across the country. Results like this will inevitably strengthen calls for proportional representation and a more modern democratic framework.” The by-election result also underscores something deeper: the steady erosion of the traditional two-party dominance that has defined British politics for decades. Increasingly, voters are challenging a system that fails to deliver meaningful economic fairness. Burgess added: “The outdated first-past-the-post system no longer reflects the diversity of political opinion across the country. Results like this will inevitably strengthen calls for proportional representation and a more modern democratic framework.” TAP believes poverty is not inevitable but the result of policy choices. The newly elected MP now has an opportunity to champion practical, evidence-led reforms that reduce hardship, strengthen public finances and restore trust in political leadership. Taxpayers Against Poverty stands ready to work with all parliamentarians committed to tackling poverty and building a fairer, more sustainable economy. Ends For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:  Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty Email: taxpayersagainstpoverty@gmail.com 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.

Poverty is not inevitable, argues the Nicolson Report, but a political choice costing Britain more than £75bn annually 18 February 2026 TAP CEO writes for Byline Times https://eastangliabylines.co.uk/news/welfare/new-report-poverty-is-an-expensive-political-choice/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

17 February 2026 TAP CEO writes Guest blog for Church Action on Poverty https://www.church-poverty.org.uk/taxpayers-against-poverty-nicolson-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

17 February 2026 - TAP CEO Tom Burgess writes for Labour List https://labourlist.org/2026/02/tackling-poverty-legacy-keir-starmer/?utm_source=chatgpt.com