Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich raises need for comprehensive strategy to tackle poverty

On 22nd June 2023, the Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich asked a question on whether the government had considered the need for a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy, following a statement on cost of living support:

The Lord Bishop of St Edmundsbury & Ipswich: My Lords, we recognise the value of the immediate and urgent provision that is being suggested and those points being argued for. However, in the light of our experience of the deepening crisis, I wonder whether, because of the interlocking nature of so many factors, now is the time to be looking at a comprehensive anti-poverty strategy.

Viscount Younger of Leckie (Con): We have already taken a number of initiatives, which the right reverend Prelate will be aware of, to look at poverty. As I say, this is a particularly difficult time. Although I cannot comment on a particular poverty strategy, the important point is that we have a number of initiatives across government to address specific aspects of poverty. That includes families and children, and of course it includes those who are homeless, who we are very aware of, as well as the increasing homelessness issue.

Hansard