Manifesto

Ending Poverty: Solutions from the Front Line

A4e's Manifesto for twenty first century public services

Much has been achieved in the fight against poverty over the last ten years. Over 600,000 children have been lifted out of relative poverty. There are 2.8 million more people back in work. The number of people without a qualification has fallen by a third. There is much to celebrate and be proud of.

Yet with few exceptions, yesterday’s poorest areas are still today’s poorest areas. Poor areas of the nineteenth century are the ‘pockets of deprivation’ and the areas of ‘persistent worklessness’ of today. The longest period of sustained economic growth in recorded history has been unable to lift more people and communities out of poverty.

Despite substantive efforts, the Government remain some way off its goal of economic equality. Poverty remains steadfast on its impact on children. 14% of households are workless in the UK and 17% of children live in workless households. And for the last two years, child poverty has increased in the UK.

All of us, whether frontline service providers or policy makers, face a huge and growing challenge.

Work with us to re-define the future of front line public services and end poverty.

Mark Lovell
Executive Chairman, A4e