Brexit & Poverty

More than that 14 million people are locked in poverty as Britain prepares for Brexit. The Brexit vote reflected deep-seated anger about economic marginalisation, poverty and lack of opportunities, but it is highly unlikely that leaving the European Union (EU) will solve these problems.

Child poverty is set to increase across the country, and to affect poorer areas of the UK worst which includes West Wales, Cornwall, Lancashire, East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. This rise predates the Brexit vote and is driven by domestic decisions about housing, social security and the labour market. However, many of the worst-hit areas are also highly exposed to changes in trade with the EU and any loss of regional funding.

There are increasingly strong risks of price rises, falls in real wages, lower employment and lower tax revenues as the UK-EU trading relationship becomes incrementally more distant.

Two years on from the vote to leave the EU, it is only right we unlock opportunities so more families are not left behind. The UK Government needs to deliver more affordable housing, better jobs and an improved social security system to meet the expectations of those who voted to leave the EU. The time and energy being spent on Brexit must not reduce our capacity to deliver a country that works for everyone after Brexit.

Back to Publications