Social security

Social security is meant to support people. But right now in the UK, millions of people can’t afford the basics - food, rent, bills. This is a result of political choices, made over decades. That's why we're calling on the government to invest in social security and make sure everyone has enough to live on.

The rate of poverty in the UK is now higher than at any point in the 21st century
16 million people in the UK are living in families in poverty – almost a quarter of the UK
4.5 million children are living in poverty

What's happening?

Millions of people can’t afford the basics. Food, rent, bills – everything is going up. Inequality in the UK is out of control.

Social security is meant to support people. Instead, years of successive government decisions have meant it’s a system that is hard to access, doesn't provide enough to live on, and it punishes people for things they can’t control.

This is a result of political choices, made over decades. Choices that have seen support chipped away while prices soar and public services collapse.

We’re told there is no money. That the government have to make “tough choices.” But that’s not true.

There is money. There is wealth. There are different choices.

What needs to change?

The government could make tax fairer by finding ways for the richest to pay their fair share. It could choose to invest in social security, to make sure everyone has enough to live on.

This isn’t about tough decisions, it’s about political priorities. With the political will, we can make sure all our everyday rights are protected.

What you can do

We’re a calling for a social security system that works.

One that’s designed by a new body with the authority to make real change, puts those most affected at the centre, and is built around rights, not cuts.

That means funding it fairly, not forcing those with the least to pay the price.

Sign our petition calling on the Prime Minister to invest in social security and make sure everyone has enough to live on.

A woman in an Amnesty International UK t-shirt holds up a placard that says 'Social security is a human right' outside The Houses of Parliament.

Prime Minister: Poverty is a political choice

Right now in the UK, millions of people can’t afford the basics - food, rent, bills. That's why we're calling on the government to invest in social security and make sure everyone has enough to live on.