Advertisement
Politics

Alex Salmond endorses The Big Issue’s poverty prevention campaign

Former SNP First Minister Alex Salmond joins John McDonnell, Caroline Lucas, Neil Gray and others in backing The Big Issue’s poverty prevention manifesto

Alex Salmond, the former leader of the Scottish National Party, has joined a growing number of political heavyweights endorsing The Big Issue manifesto, which puts prevention at the heart of tackling poverty and homelessness.

“I’m backing the Big Issue’s campaign to put poverty – and poverty prevention – at the heart of this election,” says the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson, who was succeeded by Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland’s First Minister.

“We all know that poverty and homelessness are interconnected,” he adds. “It’s not just about building houses – although building houses is necessary. It’s also about a range of actions to make sure people don’t become homeless.

“Prevention of poverty and its deep underlying reasons are hugely important, but it takes political commitment. Commitment to recognise that if we work together, we can launch a sustained attack on poverty.”

Whilst Brexit dominates this general election campaign, there are many social problems that need addressing – including around poverty, health, social care, education, literacy, housing and pay equality. The Big Issue believes that these problems should be prevented from happening in the first place, and it seems our voice is being heard, as the UK’s three biggest political parties have made statements about putting prevention at the heart of their strategies to end homelessness.

Advertisement
Advertisement

If we work together, we can launch a sustained attack on poverty

Plus in the past week, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, Labour Party Chancellor John McDonnell and former Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable have all backed The Big Issue’s approach to achieving social justice for all.

“The Green Party is proud to say that when Green Party MPs are elected, we will put poverty prevention at the heart of everything we do,” said Lucas.

The Big Issue has asked for YOU to help us hold political leaders to account – to become part of our Activist Army and challenge MPs to back The Big Issue’s prevention manifesto.

Liberal Democrat Vince Cable commented: “The Big Issue have made it their mission to put this at the top of the agenda in the 2017 general election, and they’re absolutely right to do so.

Fourteen million people across Britain live in poverty

“Fourteen million people across Britain live in poverty, and 78 billion is spent dealing with the terrible consequences,” added the party veteran. “But poverty isn’t just an economic challenge, it’s a very personal one. Every single person living in poverty has their own circumstances and their very personal needs.

“Nobody should experience poverty.”

The SNP’s Neil Gray – a member of the SNP Westminster Social Justice team and the party’s Spokesperson for Fair Work and Employment – has also endorsed The Big Issue’s poverty prevention plan.

“We should not be seeing poverty in the 21st century,” he says. “I want to see more investment in public services to see greater poverty prevention steps taken.”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
'It could have been from Gordon Brown': Experts weigh in on how radical Labour's budget really is
Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares for the autumn budget 2024
Autumn budget

'It could have been from Gordon Brown': Experts weigh in on how radical Labour's budget really is

'We want a society that works for everyone': These millionaires want Rachel Reeves to tax them more
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to extend rough sleeping funding to help homelessness services
Wealth tax

'We want a society that works for everyone': These millionaires want Rachel Reeves to tax them more

Real change or austerity 2.0? Here's how Labour can deliver a budget that works for everyone
Autumn budget

Real change or austerity 2.0? Here's how Labour can deliver a budget that works for everyone

What Tory leader hopefuls Badenoch and Jenrick think about poverty, benefits, housing and more
Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick
Politics

What Tory leader hopefuls Badenoch and Jenrick think about poverty, benefits, housing and more

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue