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Poverty + Inequality in UK

In the UK over 13 million people live in poverty. That’s one in five who have to choose between switching on the heating or buying enough food to put a meal on the table.

Britain is the fifth richest country in the world – so how did this happen? Inequality and an inflexible benefit system make it difficult for families in the UK to break the poverty cycle. Designed in the 1960’s the benefit system is unable to cope with the part-time work and temporary contracts so commonplace today.

Inequality is rife and many don’t get the opportunity to flourish. Take a look at exam results: Children living in poverty here still do far worse at school than wealthier children.

Since 2002 the poorest tenth have become £9 a week poorer (a lot if you can barely get by). While the richest tenth have £94 more a week.

And that includes people who have jobs. There are hundreds of thousands of people in paid work who are struggling to get by. People who make a huge contribution to society like care workers, class room assistants that end up juggling two or three jobs just to make ends meet.

The fact that it’s so hard to escape the poverty trap doesn’t mean the problem is big – it means it’s endemic.

A Robin Hood tax could help us create the society we all wish to live in. We may be in the shadow of recession, but we shouldn’t wait until recovery dawns to fight poverty.

The Robin Hood Tax could raise billions every year to help fight poverty in the UK. It could help end child poverty, reform the welfare system, end fuel poverty and protect frontline services.

Find out more
London
As a prostitute, Anna was left for dead three times. Now, after discovering Million Women Rise, she inspires women across the globe to stand up against violence against women. ©Crispin Hughes/OxfamGB
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Liverpool
Get Heard workshops took place across the UK in 2005. The workshops gave people living in poverty the chance to be heard by decision makers and influence government policies. ©Karen Robinson/Oxfam
Liverpool
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Glasgow
Ann McGhee and Anne Keegan at 'Tea in the Pot’, a women’s drop-in centre in Govan. The centre allows women to share their problems and learn new skills. ©Andy Hall/Oxfam Scotland.
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London
Fatina fled home at 17 due to domestic violence. As a member of ‘Million Women Rise’, a diverse group of women and men, she now speaks out against violence against women. ©Crispin Hughes/OxfamGB
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London
Kelis, four, is taking part in painting activities at ‘Munch the Crunch’, a project in London that teaches families with a low income to cook healthy meals on a tight budget. ©Save The Children
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Liverpool
Houses in Toxteth, Liverpool, which residents have been forced to move out of as part of the New Heartlands scheme. The scheme has seen many families forced from their homes. ©Karen Robinson/Oxfam
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Grimsby, England
David signs a document for his wife Brenda, for whom he cares full time. Because David is on incapacity benefits however, he receives only a fraction of the Carers’ Allowance. ©Chris Worrall/OxfamGB
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Ashton-under- Lyne, England
Micky volunteers with community initiative ‘Safeguard It’. It has allowed him to turn his life around, and he now hopes to make the move into paid work. ©Chris Worrall/OxfamGB
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Aberfan and Merthyr Vale, Wales
Monika Howells, Rita Fredricka Jones, Anne Jones and Winifred Arscott aboard the AMVYCP's free Dial-a-Ride bus. The scheme provides a Community Transport service to senior citizens. ©K Robinson/Oxfam
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London
Keira Guthra, sessional worker, with Kiemara, 4, at Munch the Crunch, a project that teaches families with a low income to cook healthy meals on a tight budget. ©Save the Children
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EXPLORE SOME MORE REASONS WHY WE NEED ROBIN