Opinion
Hygiene poverty is the hidden cost-of-living trap. Why we must remove VAT on essentials to address it

Hygiene poverty is the hidden cost-of-living trap. Why we must remove VAT on essentials to address it
Axing shelf life regulations to limit waste and slashing VAT on essential hygiene products could give millions of people caught up in hygiene poverty ‘breathing space’, argues In Kind Direct’s Michael Gidney
‘There have been too many deaths at the hands of the welfare system. It’s time to end the violence’

‘There have been too many deaths at the hands of the welfare system. It’s time to end the violence’
China Mills has spent years researching deaths at the hands of the welfare system. She is now publishing her findings in a book: No More Deaths By Welfare
What Britain can learn from other countries about reducing drug deaths

What Britain can learn from other countries about reducing drug deaths
The question is whether we are willing to examine approaches that challenge our assumptions about addiction
We spend all our resources propping up the poverty emergency. We should be focused on the cure
We spend all our resources propping up the poverty emergency. We should be focused on the cure
‘I feel a thrill of hope about Andy Burnham’s government. I’m not embarrassed to say I cried’
‘I feel a thrill of hope about Andy Burnham’s government. I’m not embarrassed to say I cried’
How Big Issue is holding Andy Burnham’s government to account on homelessness

How Big Issue is holding Andy Burnham’s government to account on homelessness
Big Issue has always been bad at promoting itself. Andy Burnham can teach us a lesson

Big Issue has always been bad at promoting itself. Andy Burnham can teach us a lesson
Ending rough sleeping isn’t just about money – it takes everyone pulling together

Ending rough sleeping isn’t just about money – it takes everyone pulling together
The success of Andy Burnham’s rough sleeping pledge can’t be judged on Christmas Day. Here’s why

The success of Andy Burnham’s rough sleeping pledge can’t be judged on Christmas Day. Here’s why
Baby banks are the hidden emergency service Labour cannot afford to ignore

Baby banks are the hidden emergency service Labour cannot afford to ignore
Everyone is being asked to prepare for troubled times. What does it mean for people in poverty?

Everyone is being asked to prepare for troubled times. What does it mean for people in poverty?
‘I don’t fit the stereotype of a homeless person. My story shows how it can happen to anyone’

‘I don’t fit the stereotype of a homeless person. My story shows how it can happen to anyone’
If we are serious about ending rough sleeping, we must be honest about what needs to be done

If we are serious about ending rough sleeping, we must be honest about what needs to be done
Mass dependence on emergency food parcels is a ‘moral scar’ on Britain. How do we end it?

Mass dependence on emergency food parcels is a ‘moral scar’ on Britain. How do we end it?
This is how Andy Burnham’s government could end the need for food banks 

This is how Andy Burnham’s government could end the need for food banks
What the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen in Spain teaches us about the meaning of home in 2026

What the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen in Spain teaches us about the meaning of home in 2026
Women can’t be left out in the cold if we are to end rough sleeping

Women can’t be left out in the cold if we are to end rough sleeping
It’s easier than ever to connect with people from across the world. So why are we so lonely?

It’s easier than ever to connect with people from across the world. So why are we so lonely?
‘I still have concerns about the Timms Review of PIP. Will mental health be protected?’

‘I still have concerns about the Timms Review of PIP. Will mental health be protected?’
Dealing with the cost of living is essential to help young people out of Britain’s NEETs crisis

Dealing with the cost of living is essential to help young people out of Britain’s NEETs crisis
‘Without humanitarian aid, there is no life in Gaza. We have to hope tomorrow will be better’

‘Without humanitarian aid, there is no life in Gaza. We have to hope tomorrow will be better’
It has taken years to regulate bailiffs. Stopping intimidation is as important as recovering debt

It has taken years to regulate bailiffs. Stopping intimidation is as important as recovering debt
Social businesses can deliver systemic change. Here’s how we can help them build a better Britain

Social businesses can deliver systemic change. Here’s how we can help them build a better Britain
‘So many of the problems we face today are a result of Right to Buy’

‘So many of the problems we face today are a result of Right to Buy’
I’m a KFC youth worker. Young people aren’t a lost cause – we’re failing them at the first hurdle
