The Big Issue has teamed up with Gordon Brown as the former prime minister calls on the government to take urgent action to prevent a “poverty time bomb” going off in October.
Brown has warned that any government budget in September will come too late for those facing ruin with October’s price cap increase, and said Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak must “show prime ministerial mettle”, stop campaigning and prepare an emergency budget.
The former prime minister and chancellor has gathered groups in a new Anti-Poverty Coalition. As well as The Big Issue, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Child Poverty Action Group, first minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, and 56 faith leaders have joined up
Writing in this week’s edition of The Big Issue magazine, Brown said: “With funds for charity starting to dry up, and food banks under pressure, only one group of people can make the difference. Johnson, Truss and Sunak must take time off from holidays and hustings and lead Britain, its regions and nations, away from an autumn and winter of misery.
He added: “We now welcome The Big Issue into our coalition and we value the support of this great organisation as we come together to expose the financial time-bomb that will explode on families eight weeks from now, on October 1.”
The annual energy price cap is expected to rise to £3,358 in October – more than doubling the £1,400 of October 2021. It will also change every three months, rather than the previous six months, leading to greater fluctuations for customers.