Attitudes to poverty

Introduction

This programme aims to improve understanding of how to build public support to end poverty in the UK. This support is needed to ensure sustained and increased action by government and others to end UK poverty.

Public attitudes also have a direct impact on the day-to-day quality of life of people experiencing poverty. Public awareness of UK poverty is low and attitudes are often harshly judgemental of those on low incomes.

The intended results of the programme are:

• communicators are better equipped to bring the public and key groups into constructive debate on UK poverty and its solutions;
• key influences on attitudes are better understood amongst communicators and decision-makers;
• a more inclusive debate on poverty in the UK;
• the experience of UK poverty is better understood in the public;
• media is engaged in UK poverty debate.

Key issues

• Nearly two-thirds of the public think poverty is either an inevitable part of life or due a person’s own laziness. This is a difficult place from which to build public support for measures which could eradicate UK poverty.
• People's understanding of UK poverty is fragmented. Many have no language or image of 21st-century UK poverty. We are uncomfortable talking about it. We also have a less accurate picture of our country’s situation than other Europeans have of theirs.
• Effective communication to galvanise public support often includes all of the following:
  • Life stories of people with experience of poverty;
  • Explanation for the existence and persistence of poverty; and 
  • Presentation of solutions to eradicate UK poverty.
• The media does cover UK poverty but often without depth, analysis or the voices of people with experience of it. Only 13% of media 'poverty reports' include the voice of someone with experience. Only 13% include an image of poverty.
• Constructive media coverage can challenge assumptions and lead to inclusive and productive debate about UK poverty and its solutions.

Overview of current work

The programme carries out research into attitudes towards poverty, economic inequality and measures to address it, as well as researching how to build public debate and support for poverty eradication. It also brings together groups for public debate on UK poverty to consider the implications of research findings for different roles and groups.

Current projects and project partners include:

• Supporting the participation of people with experience of poverty in the media including new media – this will produce research reports, DVD and web resources (St Chads, Durham University, Spectacle Productions).
• Attitudes to economic inequality and measures to address it (Fabian Society, IPPR).
• Identifying success – what works to build public support for poverty eradication (Cambridge Policy Consultants).
• Human rights frameworks – do they make a difference to poverty eradication? (Global Partners; British Institute of Human Rights).
• Reporting Poverty – media coverage of poverty and issues and options for future coverage (Glasgow Caledonian University, Media Trust, Society of Editors).

Press releases

• New work explores UK representations of poverty 

Links

• British Institue of Human Rights: Human rights and UK poverty roundtable report
• Communicating Poverty Report (UK Coalition Against Poverty)
• Poverty and Participation in the Media (Spectacle) 
• Action - 18 September (Community Channel)