Big Issue founder Lord John Bird has called for a Ministry of Poverty Prevention with a new bill in the House of Lords – but he said it doesn’t have a “snowball in hell’s chance of going anywhere this parliamentary session”.
Ahead of a general election, crossbench peer Lord Bird wants all parties to consider a radical change in thinking and approach to tackling poverty. He believes this can only be achieved through a step change in policymaking and delivery at the heart of government.
Lord Bird addressed the House of Lords with the first reading of his Ministry of Poverty Prevention Bill on Wednesday (13 March).
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With central resources currently focused on “firefighting” solutions to support those in poverty instead of eradicating its root causes, Lord Bird is calling for a new governmental department.
The Ministry of Poverty Prevention would have a focus on poverty-led policy, delivery and funding. At the centre of Lord Bird’s bill is a desire to see anti-poverty policy and projects endure beyond election cycles and governmental changes.
Lord John Bird said: “I’m proud to have presented my Ministry of Poverty Prevention Bill to the House this afternoon. But the reality is that it doesn’t have a snowball in hell’s chance of going anywhere this parliamentary session.