Green MP Ellie Chowns: 'Half measures will no longer suffice – we need bold solutions to poverty'

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to meet Monica, a Big Issue vendor who has worked in Ledbury for five years. In our conversation, Monica spoke about the rising rents, increasing bills and soaring food prices that make each day a challenge. She isn’t the only one; I’ve also met local shopkeepers, families and pensioners who share similar worries. Their stories remind me that the poverty and hardships individuals face are not random misfortunes; they are the result of policy choices that have weakened our social safety nets and left the most vulnerable to fend for themselves.  

In recent years, I’ve seen directly how rising living costs have affected everyday people. Some have told me that a single unexpected expense can send their budgets into crisis, forcing them to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.

The reality is that 3.8 million people across the United Kingdom are living in conditions that no one should have to endure. These are not just statistics. They are our neighbours, friends and family members struggling to secure the basics of life.  

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 Across communities, including in my constituency of North Herefordshire, the picture is deeply worrying. I have spoken with parents whose children face barriers that extend well beyond empty cupboards, and local teachers have shared concerns about the long-term impact on health and educational outcomes.

Nearly one in five children in my constituency grows up in relative poverty, and the rising figures – child poverty has increased by 44% in North Herefordshire since 2014 – underscore a failure to give our young people a fair start in life.  

Housing is a central part of this crisis. For too long, families have been pushed to the margins by soaring house prices and a lack of affordable homes. In my own constituency, average house prices have surged dramatically over the past decade, leaving many struggling to secure stable accommodation.

Equally alarming is the decline in social housing. Decades of policy decisions, marked by the sale of council houses and a failure to reinvest and rebuild in the social housing system, has left the UK with far too few affordable homes for those who need them most. In the private renting sector, sky-high rents and insecure tenancies mean some families spend more than half their income just to keep a roof over their heads.  

Financial insecurity further compounds these challenges. I have heard stories of individuals having to seek debt advice simply to manage everyday bills, a clear sign of the economic strain many face. And while it is difficult to quantify every hardship, the gutting of local government funding has played a major role.

Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies shows that central government core funding for local councils was cut by 46% in the 2010s.This severe reduction has decimated vital services, leaving communities without the support networks that can help them escape the cycle of poverty.  

The roots of this crisis lie in long-standing policy failures. We have seen a systematic refusal to invest in affordable housing, a steady erosion of worker protections and welfare policies that punish rather than support. It is clear that half measures will no longer suffice. We must adopt bold, transformative solutions that address these challenges head-on.  

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I am proud to support the Big Issue’s Poverty Zero campaign, which calls for a framework of accountability similar to our climate commitments. Under the Poverty Zero approach, ministers would be required to publish detailed plans to reduce poverty with legally binding targets and mechanisms for review if progress falls short.

But policy change must be paired with fresh ideas for funding our public services. For example, the Green Party’s proposal for a wealth tax offers a way to ensure that the richest in our society contribute their fair share. This tax could provide a sustainable source of funding to invest in social housing, health services, mental health support and debt advice programs – investments that rebuild the essential support systems our communities rely on.   

Monica’s story, and those of so many other individuals I have met, reflects a national emergency. Their resilience in the face of hardship is a testament to the strength of our communities, but it should not be mistaken for acceptance of injustice. Their experiences call for systemic change: a reimagining of our society where dignity, fairness and opportunity are the birthrights of every person. 

I am determined to take these issues to Westminster. The government has the tools it needs; what it lacks is the political will to act decisively. We must raise wages to a true living standard, invest heavily in affordable and social housing, and restore funding to local services that support our most vulnerable citizens. The cost of inaction is measured in lost potential, broken families and shattered dreams.  

Ellie Chowns is the Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. Find out more about the Big Issue Poverty Zero campaign.

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