The Guardian view on deepening poverty in the UK: a catastrophic Tory legacy has cut millions adrift | Editorial

UK Poverty Crisis: A Bleak Legacy of Conservative Rule

The latest report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) paints a stark picture of poverty in the UK, one that is both deeply troubling and eerily familiar. The data tells a story of an almost 15-year Tory rule period marked by widespread hardship, with no progress made in reducing relative poverty levels.

Under Conservative governments since 2010, welfare cuts have taken a devastating toll on the most vulnerable members of society. The JRF estimates that around one in five people struggled to make ends meet, living below 60% of median income. However, this figure belies a more disturbing reality: over 6.8 million individuals were reduced to struggling to survive on meager incomes, while an estimated 3.8 million experienced destitution in 2022.

Poverty has grown not just in numbers but also in depth and impact. The JRF's chief analyst, Peter Matejic, warns that poverty is "widespread and more damaging than at any point in the last 30 years." This grim assessment serves as a stark indictment of Conservative policy and ideology, which prioritized ideologically driven cuts over compassion and social welfare.

The consequences are dire. Millions of people, including those in work, are forced to live hand-to-mouth, struggling with debt, hunger, and stress. The moral bankruptcy of advocating for "personal responsibility" while neglecting the basics of human dignity is exposed for what it is: a thinly veiled attempt to pawn off responsibility on the most vulnerable.

The government's fixation on rearming in response to security threats ignores the true drivers of economic stagnation: austerity, wage stagnation, and spiraling costs. A more adequate welfare state, which would restore economic agency to those who need it most, is precisely what is needed to break this vicious cycle. The JRF's report starkly illustrates that Britain's poorest citizens are not just a burden on the system but a source of untapped potential.

The question on everyone's lips is: when will the penny drop at Westminster? Will they finally acknowledge the catastrophic legacy of Conservative rule and take concrete steps to address this crisis, or will they continue down the path of austerity, exacerbating poverty and social injustice? The answer hangs in the balance.

I remember when I was a kid, my grandma used to struggle to make ends meet too . She'd always say, "It's not the amount you earn, it's how you use what you have that matters." But now, it seems like the system is stacked against people. The poverty rates in the UK are crazy! One in five people can't even afford basic necessities. It's heartbreaking to see so many struggling to survive.

I know some folks say we need to "personal responsibility" and all that . But what about those who don't have a choice? What about the single parents, the disabled, or the ones who just got laid off from their jobs? They're not asking for much, just a fair chance at life.

The government's always going on about security threats, but I think they're missing the point. Poverty is a national security issue . We need to prioritize people over profit. It's time to rethink our policies and put an end to this poverty crisis once and for all. The UK deserves better .

I mean, who needs a functioning welfare system anyway? It's not like people need support when they're struggling to make ends meet... that would just be too expensive. Meanwhile, the 1% are still raking it in, and the rest of us get to deal with the consequences. The government's all about "personal responsibility" – code for "don't help anyone who needs it." At this point, I'm starting to think that poverty is just a great excuse to splurge on military hardware...

I'm really worried about what's happening with poverty in the UK . It sounds like things have been getting worse for so long now, no one knows how to fix it . We need a government that actually cares about people struggling to make ends meet . All this talk of "personal responsibility" is just code for they don't want to help anyone . What's needed is more support, not less .

oh my gosh, this is just heartbreaking the fact that 6.8 million people are struggling to survive on meager incomes is just insane i'm seriously worried about the future of our society if we don't do something about poverty now the conservatives need to take responsibility for their policies and stop blaming personal responsibility it's not that hard to provide a decent welfare state for everyone, especially when you're dealing with economic stagnation and wage stagnation i'm so tired of hearing about austerity and rearmament - when are we going to prioritize human dignity over security threats?

I mean, it's just heartbreaking to think about how many people are struggling to get by in this country. Like, what's the point of having a decent standard of living if you're still living on the edge? And don't even get me started on the whole "personal responsibility" thing - it's like they expect us to just magically pull ourselves up by our bootstraps without any safety net.

I think we need to rethink what success means in this country. Is it really about being one of the lucky ones, or is it about everyone having access to basic human dignity? I mean, poverty isn't just about not having enough money - it's about feeling like you're invisible and unimportant.

And can we please talk about how outdated our welfare system is? Like, it's time for a major overhaul. We need to prioritize people over profits and make sure everyone has a chance to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.

This report is literally shocking! One in five people struggling to make ends meet is just insane . I mean, I knew things had been tough for low-income folks under the Tories, but this level of destitution is crazy . It's like they're saying it's all on the individuals, you know? "You just need to work harder" or "you should be grateful for what you have". Um, nope! That's not how poverty works . I'm all for a stronger welfare state and some actual support for those in need . It's time for the government to acknowledge that austerity isn't working and make some real changes . I mean, we're still living in a post-Brexit world where workers' rights are being trampled on ...

I mean, have you seen the numbers? 1 in 5 people struggling to make ends meet? That's just not right. I'm all for personal responsibility, but come on, that's not fair on anyone. It's like they're saying it's every man for himself, even if you're already working hard and can't afford the basics.

And don't even get me started on debt and hunger and stress... that's just heartbreaking. I feel so sorry for those people who are struggling to survive. It's not right that we've got one of the highest levels of poverty in Europe and yet we're still getting told that it's all about personal responsibility.

I think we need a complete overhaul of our welfare system, like, now. We can't just keep piling more austerity on top of people who are already struggling. That's just going to make things worse. And what really gets my goat is when they talk about "personal responsibility" but don't actually back it up with concrete policies. It feels like they're just trying to shift the blame onto the poor and vulnerable.

We need a government that's willing to take a long, hard look at poverty and figure out how to tackle it from the root. Not just throw some token gestures their way and then pretend everything is okay. The JRF report is clear: this is a major crisis that needs major action. So, what's going on? Are they even listening to the people who are affected by this?

It's just so sad what's happening with all those people struggling to make ends meet . I mean, we're supposed to be a developed country, but it feels like they're being left behind. Our school has been talking about this stuff for years - how inequality affects education and opportunities. It's not just poverty, but also mental health and well-being. We need more support, like better resources and facilities, so that everyone can thrive . The government needs to listen to the experts and make changes ASAP .

I'm getting a bad feeling about this... it's like we're right back where we were 15 years ago, under Labour. Remember the "austerity measures" Tony Blair introduced? At least they had the decency to give us a bit of hope with the National Minimum Wage hike in 1999... now that was something to get excited about! But this Tory lot, they're just taking it up a notch, aren't they? Cutting welfare, leaving people to scrape by on scraps... it's like they want us all to be like our parents were back in the '80s, struggling to make ends meet. And what really gets my goat is that they're justifying this with some mumbo-jumbo about "personal responsibility"... I mean, come on! We've been living in a country where people can't afford to pay rent, where food banks are overflowing... it's time for the government to step up and take responsibility, not pawn it off on us.

I feel bad for the poor people out there struggling to make ends meet . I don't think we should just blame the Conservative government entirely. I mean, we need to acknowledge that they did make some tough decisions, but maybe not all of them were the right ones? I'm sure it's not as simple as just "personal responsibility" – what about systemic issues like poverty and inequality? We need to address those too! The UK needs a more balanced approach, you know?

This latest report from the JRF is a harsh reality check for anyone who's been living under the rug that the UK poverty crisis has been slowly but surely spiraling out of control since 2010. I mean, we're talkin' nearly 15 years of Tory rule and no progress on reducing relative poverty levels? That's just unacceptable . It's like they're more interested in ideologically driven cuts than actually helping people get back on their feet.

And let's be real, the whole "personal responsibility" thing is just a load of codswallop. I mean, who does that to their own family members? It's not about being lazy, it's about being desperate and struggling to make ends meet. The gov't needs to wake up and smell the tea – austerity ain't working, mate.

I'm genuinely worried about the impact this is having on mental health, debt, hunger, and all that other stuff. We need a welfare state that restores economic agency to those who need it most, not just pawns off responsibility on the most vulnerable people. So, when's the penny gonna drop at Westminster? Only time will tell.

I'm not sure what's more concerning - the stats showing over 6.8 million people struggling to survive on meager incomes, or that it's been going on for so long under Conservative rule . We need a welfare system that helps folks get back on their feet, not one that leaves them drowning in debt and stress . It's time for the government to acknowledge the problems with austerity and focus on creating jobs, increasing wages, and providing support for those who really need it . Can't we find a way to balance personal responsibility with social welfare without pitting people against each other?

I'm literally shook by these stats . One in five people struggling to make ends meet is just insane. And those 6.8 million ppl living on meager incomes?! It's like they're being forced to survive on scraps. I get that politics can be complex, but it's hard not to feel like the government is just kicking ppl when they're down. Austerity has been going on for ages and it's still having devastating effects. We need a change ASAP!

I don’t usually comment but I think it's wild that we're still living in a world where people are struggling to survive on minimal incomes . Like, what's next? Are we gonna have to start rationing food and stuff? It's crazy that the government is more worried about rearming than fixing this systemic poverty issue .

I don't get why they keep talking about "personal responsibility" when it's clear that the system is rigged against people who need help the most . It's not like anyone's expecting everyone to just magically have a million pounds in savings. And what's with the constant austerity measures? Don't they know that starving the system will just make things worse?

It's time for them to wake up and realize that poverty isn't just some abstract concept, it's real people's lives being torn apart . We need a welfare state that actually works, not one that's designed to punish those who are already struggling. And yeah, I'm still waiting for the penny to drop at Westminster...

can't believe the state of the UK right now poverty is reaching new heights and nobody seems to be doing anything about it . 6.8 million people struggling to survive on minimum wages? that's just heartbreaking . I think the government needs to take responsibility for their actions (or lack thereof) and start making real changes instead of just talking about it .

and what's with this "personal responsibility" nonsense . if you can't afford basic necessities like food and shelter, that's not your problem, that's the government's problem . we need a more compassionate approach to poverty and welfare, not one that shames and stigmatizes people for being poor .

anyway, I'd love to see some real action taken by the government to tackle this crisis . more funding for social services, living wages, and access to affordable healthcare would be a great start . until then, I think we're stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty and inequality .

I'm still trying to wrap my head around these numbers... 6.8 million people struggling to survive on meager incomes? That's insane! It's like they're living in a never-ending cycle of poverty and debt. And don't even get me started on the mental health impacts – stress, hunger, all that stuff. It's just heartbreaking.

I feel like we're stuck in some kind of time loop where we keep making the same mistakes over and over again. We prioritize "personal responsibility" but forget about basic human dignity. And it's not just the politicians who are to blame – it's the system that perpetuates this cycle.

We need a more nuanced conversation around poverty, one that acknowledges that it's not just individual failure but also structural issues like austerity and wage stagnation. We can't keep ignoring the fact that poverty is widespread and getting worse. It's time for some real change, not just empty promises or token gestures.

So yeah, when will the penny drop? I'm still waiting for some genuine leadership on this issue. Until then, it's just more of the same.

OMG I cant even believe its been 15 yrs of Tory rule Poverty is literally everywhere rn i heard on the news that over 6 mil ppl in uk are living below 60% of median income thats like, super sad . Why dont they just raise the min wage or something? its not that hard I mean idk what's going on with gov but it feels like theyre more worried about rearming than ppl living hand-to-mouth .

I'm seeing this report from the JRF and it's just heartbreaking. 6.8 million people struggling to survive on meager incomes is insane . It feels like we're being told that if we just work harder, poverty will magically disappear . Newsflash: working multiple jobs doesn't put food on the table or pay rent . We need a fundamental shift in how we address poverty, not more ideological nonsense about personal responsibility . The UK's poorest citizens are not a burden to be fixed, they're human beings deserving of dignity and support . It's time for our politicians to stop playing politics with people's lives and start taking concrete action to address this crisis . Can we finally get some real change?

I think its crazy that no one is taking responsibility for the mess we're in . I mean, 15 years of Tory rule and still no progress on reducing poverty levels? That's just not acceptable. And to make matters worse, they're still going on about "personal responsibility" like it's some kind of magic solution . Newsflash: poverty is complex, its not just about individual failings, its systemic. We need a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of poverty, not just handouts or token gestures. And while we're at it, why can't we have a decent social safety net? Its basic human decency . The government needs to wake up and smell the coffee before more people are pushed to the brink. When will they finally get their act together?