BASW calls on Government to tackle scandalous poverty levels

Social workers concerned at Government’s reaction to damning UN report on UK poverty

Following the publication of the recent UN report outlining levels of UK poverty, BASW repeats its call on UK Governments to end austerity and tackle the scandal of increasing poverty. 

The report, drafted by Professor Philip Alston, calculates 1.5 million people in the UK are currently destitute — described as unable to afford basic essentials — and notes deeply worrying increases in levels of child poverty.

Furthermore, the report highlights an unwillingness of the UK Government to acknowledge the scope and impacts of poverty and states its austerity measures are an ideologically motivated drive to strip the social security system. 

In response, the Government has disagreed with the analysis and criticised the report for its tone.

Yet our members on the frontline of social care are reporting evidence of children, disabled people, single parent households, the elderly, carers, homeless people, those in receipt of universal credit and low working households experiencing significant financial hardship and poverty.

The growing levels of poverty can be evidenced by the growing increase in food bank usage, as well as the fact that our members are increasingly telling us that it has become the norm for social workers to support service users to access basic free food supplies.

This must stop and BASW is calling for cross party support to tackle growing poverty levels across the UK.

Maris Stratulis, England national director says:

“Millions of people are living in poverty in the UK and there has been a recorded increase in child poverty including in England. There needs to be political support and transparency in acknowledging poverty levels in England and other nations – if politicians deny the levels of poverty across the UK then change will not happen.  We need a political commitment to develop a coherent anti-poverty strategy with NGOs, partner organisations, and citizens who are experiencing poverty.”

Colin Reid, BASW Northern Ireland Chair says:

“BASW NI Chair, Colin Reid said: “Poverty in Northern Ireland, as throughout the UK, is widespread and deeply damaging to the life opportunities of millions of people across society. Social workers witness the debilitating impacts of poverty daily and are all too familiar with the devastation caused.

“Many of the people social workers support have seen their circumstances caused, or exacerbated by poverty, including people with a mental health problem, families experiencing breakdown, or children suffering neglect.”

Allison Hulmes, BASW Cymru deputy national director says:

“Men born in the most deprived areas of Wales have over eight years less life expectancy than those born in the least deprived areas, disabled people face an education attainment gap, and high levels of racism and violence against women are a reality for many people living in Wales today.

“I am a social worker and this makes me angry. BASW Cymru will continue to work in partnership with other organisations in Wales to lobby for an anti-poverty strategy that sets out clearly how poverty will be tackled.”

Alistair Brown, SASW Professional Officer says:

“Our members in Scotland are acutely aware of how benefit changes are impacting families and vulnerable adults especially in Universal Credit pilot areas. 1 in 5 people in Scotland were living in relative poverty in 2014-17, rates higher than before 2013. Members are encouraged that the UN Rapporteur met with the Scottish First Minister who outlined her plans who plans to make adequate housing, food and welfare a legal human right in Scotland.

“Yet, young people in the areas most affected by poverty may face further challenges following Brexit as European Social Fund support ceases for vocational training at colleges and the equality gap still means up to a decade difference in life expectancy from one side of our biggest city to the other.”