[UK] Labour is losing the fight against poverty

from The Guardian

Denis Campbell

The Observer

Most people believe charities do the most to relieve poverty in Britain, while just one in four thinks that government makes the most effort, a new poll shows.
In research by Ipsos MORI for the Church of England's Church Urban Fund, 2,333 members of the public were asked which two organisations did the most to tackle poverty: 64 per cent replied charities and non- governmental organisations. Only 28 per cent identified the Government, 17 per cent said local councils, 11 per cent named religious organisations, 6 per cent cited business and industry.

The results will disappoint ministers. Labour made reducing poverty and inequality, and eradicating child poverty altogether by 2020, one of its key targets when it was elected in 1997, and the Government has introduced various schemes to improve life for the most socially disadvantaged.

The survey, called Public Attitudes to Poverty, also found that 63 per cent think the poor tend to go unnoticed, while one in 10 blames the poor themselves for their circumstances.

The Church Urban Fund this week launches a new campaign, Challenging Poverty, to highlight the plight of Britain's poorest citizens.