Kiri Adams reflects on a year of change and the power of supporters to influence Government policy.
This year, CAP’s advocacy and campaigning efforts have reached new heights, thanks to our dedicated supporters. Together, we’ve pushed for long-overdue changes to policies that leave millions in poverty. In a year marked by a general election and a new Government taking power, the support has been crucial in raising concerns and ensuring the voices of people trapped in debt and poverty are heard. Together, we’re making a difference, but there is still much more to be done as we seek to end UK poverty once and for all.
Before the election: making voices heard
We’ve always known that statistics alone can’t capture the harsh reality of poverty. That’s why we focus on sharing the real-life experiences of those CAP helps, our volunteers and our church partners, who understand the impact of poverty better than anyone. Earlier this year, we asked our campaigning community to invite their local MPs to a launch event for our report, Pushed under, pushed out. The room was filled with MPs, parliamentary staff and charity leaders.
Jim, Melinda, and James, who were all supported by CAP on their journey out of debt, courageously shared how they were impacted by debt and poverty, and the room was filled with silence, respect and understanding – a powerful moment.
The findings from the Pushed under, pushed out report have driven our efforts for the past two years, and our supporters have been at the heart of this work. We’ve highlighted a critical issue: that, for so many people, debt is a symptom of deficit budgets – where a household’s income doesn’t cover the cost of the basic essentials they need to survive.
With 11 million people in the UK currently facing a deficit budget, our supporters are helping to bring this nationwide issue to the forefront of political discussions. Moving forwards, we’re seeking and praying for new ways to make sure the voices of those with deficit budgets are heard by key decision-makers.
Read‘Deficit budgets: The cost to stay alive’
Read an overview of ‘Deficit budgets: The cost to stay alive’
During the election: engaging with every voice
Our ability to make a difference lies in the combined power of grassroots support through local churches and wider advocacy efforts. This approach allows us to connect with people from all political backgrounds, ensuring our message is backed by the real-life experiences of those helped by CAP and those who have supported them. As record numbers of MPs stood down and polls shifted during this year’s election, the focus needed to be on people, not just policies. That’s why we asked our supporters to write to their local Prospective Parliamentary Candidates (PPCs) to raise awareness of poverty and find out how they intended to address the issue from both a local and national perspective.
And what a difference was made! We started over 5,700 conversations with PPCs across more than 460 constituencies. The impact of these conversations was incredible, with candidates sharing their personal connections to poverty and their commitment to change. This wouldn’t have been possible without our supporters’ dedication to speaking out and their heart to see the issue of poverty prioritised during the election period. See the full impact here.
After the election: continuing to turn up the volume
Thanks to our supporters’ efforts, over half of the newly elected MPs are already engaging with CAP’s campaigning and advocacy team, learning about the reality of poverty and connecting with their local CAP centres. This groundwork is crucial for influencing the Government in the future and seeing changes made that prevent people from falling into debt and poverty in the first place.
With a new Government in place, our Christ-centred mission remains clear: to ensure that every household has enough income to thrive, not just survive. We’re pleased to hear about the Labour Party’s commitment to a genuine living wage and a cross-government strategy to reduce child poverty – policies that align with what we’ve long advocated for.
Keep making your voice heard
Millions of people in the UK are still living in poverty. Food bank use is at a record high. Wages and social security are woefully inadequate against the current cost of living, driving many people into unmanageable debt. Having built on the findings of the Pushed under, pushed out report, CAP’s latest research into deficit budgets reveals the impossible options many people are trapped between daily, and where, together, we can advocate for change. To help make a difference and discover more ways to get involved, we invite you to join our campaigning community here.
And don’t forget, the power of prayer is a tool we all have. Please pray for our efforts and for the millions still living in debt and poverty. Your prayers and actions make a real difference. Together, we are a powerful force for change.
