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Petition

Prime Minister: Poverty is a political choice

3,200 people have signed. Help us get to 5,000

Dear Prime Minister the social security system isn’t working.

I call upon you to:

- Ensure people most affected shape solutions
- Setup a Social Security Commission with statutory power to ensure the system works for all of us and our communities.
- Make tax and spending choices that advance, not undermine, everyday rights

Poverty is a political choice and you have the power to end it.

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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 has meant it’s:

  1. A system that is hard to access
  2. Its not enough to live on
  3. 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. 

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. 

That’s why 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.  

Take action now.