Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Politics

Labour's John McDonnell backs homelessness prevention manifesto – video

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Scottish Labour Party leader Kezia Dugdale say The Big Issue's poverty prevention agenda would be at the heart of a Labour government – and they encourage voters to join our Activist Army

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell at the launch of Labour's 2017 manifesto

Labour’s John McDonnell has backed The Big Issue’s Poverty Prevention manifesto, and in a video released today – see below – says that people should become a part of our Activist Army.

The Big Issue recently launched a manifesto aimed at achieving social justice for all. Whilst Brexit dominates this general election campaign, there are many social problems that need addressing – including around poverty, health, social care, education, literacy, housing and pay equality.

We believe that these problems should be prevented from happening in the first place, and have called upon all the political parties to make prevention central to their plans. John McDonnell has said that a Labour government would do just that.

The Big Issue is right to put poverty prevention at the heart of this general election,” he says. “Fourteen million people in this country are living in poverty. That’s why we’ll work on the basis of that poverty prevention manifesto in everything that we do as we go into government.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn launches the party's manifesto ahead of the 2017 general election.

We have asked for YOU to help us hold our political leaders to account, to challenge MPs to back The Big Issue’s prevention manifesto – a campaign which the Shadow Chancellor has also endorsed.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Big Issue is right to put poverty prevention at the heart of this general election

“You can help in this campaign by supporting The Big Issue and become part of its Activist Army,” he says. “This is a critical issue facing our country, and we need your support for the Big Issue campaign.”

Scottish Labour Party leader Kezia Dugdale has also backed The Big Issue’s Poverty Prevention manifesto.

“The one million people living in poverty in Scotland did not choose that life. They have been failed by the UK and Scottish governments,” she says.

Kezia Dugdale

“For too long, we have ignored the root causes of poverty. Instead we spend billions on trying to mitigate its serious and long-lasting effects – like lower educational attainment and poorer physical and mental health – through piecemeal policy interventions.

“It is time for our governments to tackle poverty head on. Labour has shown that it’s possible with policies like a £10 living wage to radically change people’s lives and we fully endorse the creation of a top-level task force working across government. No one should have to experience the misery of poverty.”

Watch the Pride special collection.

Our LGBTQ+ film playlist offers a new and interesting angle on LGBTQ+ love and struggle – giving an international overview by taking us inside some of the most and least sexually liberated countries in the world.  

Sign Up Now
Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
North East mayor Kim McGuinness on ambition, austerity and why she's the 'ultimate pragmatist'
North East mayor Kim McGuinness
Exclusive

North East mayor Kim McGuinness on ambition, austerity and why she's the 'ultimate pragmatist'

A Kamala Harris win could make her the first TikTok president
Kamala Harris
Politics

A Kamala Harris win could make her the first TikTok president

Nadhim Zahawi: 'The line between being on the street and being chancellor is very, very slim'
Nadim Zahawi
Letter to my Younger Self

Nadhim Zahawi: 'The line between being on the street and being chancellor is very, very slim'

Nadhim Zahawi: 'We're supposed to be the party of government, not some mafiosi'
Former politician Nadhim Zahawi
Politics

Nadhim Zahawi: 'We're supposed to be the party of government, not some mafiosi'

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know