Many people believe their area has changed for the worse, survey suggests
The Big Issue Group is launching a new initiative designed to bring local people together to tackle poverty.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Almost half of people believe their local area has changed for the worse over the past few years, according to research.
A survey of more than 2,000 people by the Big Issue magazine also found that a similar number did not think the government was doing enough to help those in poverty.
Two in five respondents suggested that doing more to reduce energy bills would do the most to support those living in poverty.
Only 7% of those questioned said their local area had improved in recent years.
Poverty is out of control, and our politicians repeatedly fail to act fast enough. We refuse to accept this
The Big Issue Group is launching a Big Community initiative, designed to bring local people together to find solutions to poverty in their areas, and to call for real government action.
The group is calling for a poverty zero law, which would force every government to set legally binding targets to reduce poverty, as with net zero.
The Big Issue said it is estimated that 3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty, struggling to feed, clothe, and keep themselves warm, twice as many as seven years ago.
John Bird, founder of the Big Issue, said: “Poverty is out of control, and our politicians repeatedly fail to act fast enough. We refuse to accept this.
“A new poverty zero law would hold their feet to the fire. It’s not all bad news. Our poll shows people still believe in the power of community and working together to achieve change.
“That’s why, for the first time, we’re taking the Big Issue on the road. We want to bring local people together and support communities to tackle poverty head on.”
The first Big Community Roadshow will visit Newcastle upon Tyne next week, with the social enterprise’s various teams based in the city for a week to listen, support and report on overlooked local issues.
More dates and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.