Over 200 organisations have signed a letter calling on the next prime minister and government to put tackling hardship as their number one priority after the election on 4 July.

Prominent charities committed to tackling poverty in the UK, including The Trussell Trust, Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), Citizen’s Advice, Crisis and Age UK are arguing that neither the Conservatives nor Labour have gone far enough in addressing poverty in their current manifestos and while debating. The appeal to the next government comes as JRF research found that 7 million low-income households were forced to go without essentials including food, adequate clothing and basic toiletries in the six months to May 2024, while The Trussell Trust says that the food banks in its network have delivered a record 3.1 million emergency food parcels in the last year.

The organisations who signed the letter did so as poverty in the UK becomes worse. Over the past five years, the number of people experiencing destitution more than doubled. Four million experienced destitution in 2022, including 1 million children. The letter, which is addressed to Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer, points out that “such levels of hardship are unacceptable in the UK and cannot be allowed to continue”. It adds: “The public are deeply concerned about the situation and believe it is the UK government’s responsibility to right this wrong.”

Some of the charities who signed the letter also addressed how certain groups are being disproportionately affected by the cost of living crisis, including disabled people. “Life has always cost more for disabled people, buying essentials is swallowing up ever more cash, and prices – particularly of the basics – continue to rise,” said James Taylor, director of strategy at Scope. “Our politicians need to hear this message loud and clear. We’re hearing from disabled people who are rationing how often they shower and use their powered wheelchair to get them to the toilet. “The next government must tackle the unfair extra costs disabled people face and break the link between disability and poverty.” 

Mark Rowland, CEO at the Mental Health Foundation, pointed to the established link between poverty and mental health. “Poverty and financial hardship are key drivers of poor mental health,” he said. “Our research has shown that many people across the UK are feeling anxious, stressed and hopeless due to increasing cost pressures and uncertainty surrounding their financial situation. We need any future government to take more action to lessen the financial pressure people are experiencing, which is key to preventing poor mental health.”

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