Here are some questions you can ask your local representatives ahead of the elections on 7 May 2026.
Introduce yourself
My name is [NAME]. I work for/support Christians Against Poverty, a charity supporting people in financial difficulty through FCA-authorised debt advice, financial education and employment support. I, like CAP, want to see an end to UK poverty, so I want to ask the candidates…
Questions about working with the community
- What involvement have you had with local communities’ efforts to support people experiencing poverty?
- How will you work with charities, faith groups and community organisations already supporting people in poverty?
- What commitments can you make about sustaining or increasing funding for frontline local support services?
Questions about the cost of living
- What steps will you take to make sure all households can access essentials like food, energy, and housing?
Questions about debt
- What will you do to reduce problem debt and support people to become debt free?
Questions about listening to those with lived experience
- How will you make sure people with lived experience of poverty are involved in shaping decisions?
Questions about mental and physical health
- What are your thoughts on the link between poverty and mental or physical health, and what steps would you prioritise to address these?
Questions about social security and essential support
- What role do you see the social security system playing to provide a reliable safety net for people facing sudden income shocks?
- How will you make sure emergency help and social security reaches those who are eligible but not currently claiming this support?
Questions about personal motivation
- What is your personal motivation for working to see an end to poverty in the UK?
