For the 100,000 supporters of Compass, the case for a fairer, more democratic society is clear. But one of the most urgent challenges we face—persistent poverty—continues to be approached in the wrong way.

Poverty in the UK is not inevitable. It is the result of choices.

Millions are living with financial insecurity, facing rising housing and energy costs, insecure work, and a system that intervenes only once crisis has taken hold. Inequality deepens, while public spending rises just to manage the consequences.

This is not just a social failure. It is a democratic and economic one.

Our society has built a model that reacts to poverty rather than preventing it.

At Taxpayers Against Poverty (TAP), we believe prevention must become a central organising principle of policy. Our Nicolson Report: The Poverty Scandal shows that early action—on incomes, structural costs, and inequality—reduces hardship and lowers long-term public spending. Prevention is both fairer and more effective.

But evidence alone does not drive change. Collective action does.

That is why we have launched the Prioritise Poverty Prevention campaign, bringing together three strands:

• A Prioritise Poverty Prevention Pledge, asking MPs to commit to prevention
• A national public petition, building visible public demand
• A growing coalition of organisations, aligning efforts and amplifying impact

This is not about ownership. It is about alignment.

Many in the Compass network are already working to address poverty and inequality. The opportunity now is to connect that work—to create a shared, visible push for prevention as a unifying goal.

Because this is about the kind of society we choose to build: one that manages hardship, or one that prevents it.

So what can you do?

• Sign and share the petition
• Encourage your MP to support the pledge
• Connect this work into your networks
• Join the campaign as a partner organisation

Preventing poverty is a political choice.

And it is one we can make—together.

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For more information or to partner on the campaign: campaigns@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

For media enquiries, interviews, or comment:
Tom Burgess, CEO, Taxpayers Against Poverty
Email: media@taxpayersagainstpoverty.org
Website: www.taxpayersagainstpoverty.org

About Taxpayers Against Poverty
Taxpayers against Poverty is a UK-based independent advocacy group dedicated to tackling poverty, inequality, and economic injustice TAP seeks to influence national and local policy by promoting practical economic proposals that have a positive effect on reducing poverty and unnecessary financial hardship using a direct approach to decision makers and other influencers. 

TAP was founded by the late Rev Paul Nicolson and is led by Tom Burgess, author of From Here to Prosperity, a new political agenda for a sustainable economy and greater social justice, which proposes taxing wealth more and income less. TAP’s sister organisation is Compassion in Politics which seeks to bring more honesty, respect and compassion into political life.