We want to end poverty for good with Poverty Zero law. Here's how you can help us

The Big Issue Group believes that ending poverty should be a legal requirement.  

It is calling for a ‘Poverty Zero’ law which would require every government to set legally binding targets to reduce poverty – as with Net Zero. 

Of the 14.4 million people in the UK living in poverty, 3.8 million are living in destitution, the most extreme form of poverty. 

These are people struggling to keep themselves warm, clean and fed. And the number is rising – destitution has more than doubled over the last seven years. 

Big Issue is calling for the government’s first target to be to end destitution in the next 10 years. 

Its ‘Blueprint to End Poverty’ details the policies it wants to see implemented over the course of the decade to work towards the target of ending destitution. 

This includes implementing an essentials guarantee so that universal credit is enough for people to afford the basics – increasing it by at least £120 a month. 

• General election 2024: Our Blueprint for Change calls on next government to end poverty for good
• ‘Real change is essential’: Our blueprint for change shows how Sunak and Starmer can end poverty for good

Big Issue also wants the government to build more social and affordable housing, remove the two-child limit on universal credit, reform the energy price cap so it better supports low-income households and pensioners and for increased investment in the NHS and social care workforce. 

MPs are being asked to support Big Issue in parliament by becoming End Poverty Champions, and the public can show their support by writing to their MP and asking them to work with Big Issue to end extreme poverty. 

Rhianon Steeds, campaigns manager at Big Issue, said: “This campaign is about giving the anti-poverty movement some teeth, in the form of legal challenge.  

“By creating a tool to hold governments to account on poverty reduction, we’re looking to turn the fine words we so often hear from Westminster into real action for the millions of people struggling to meet their basic needs.” 

To become a member of the Big Issue, sign up here.

Big Issue members will get an exclusive newsletter at least four times a year. You’ll get updates on the positive change you are helping to create, a digital guide to taking action in your community and digital access to our exclusive 2025 Poverty Zero summit, where people will learn how to influence change from experts and community leaders.