Let's End Poverty messages shared by churches during election 

Banners with the message “Let’s End Poverty in the UK and globally” are being put up outside church buildings to invite prospective parliamentary candidates to set out clear action plans to tackle the issue

As churches and charities increasingly fill the gap for those most in need at home and around the world, the call is being made for the next government to put an ‘ending poverty action plan’ at the top of their agenda.

Churches in the constituencies of the main party leaders launched the initiative with banners going up at Camden Methodist Church and Bloomsbury Baptist Church (pictured) in Keir Starmer’s constituency of Holborn and St. Pancras; Kingston URC Church in Ed Davey’s constituency of Kingston and Surbiton; and seven churches in Northallerton in Rishi Sunak’s constituency of Richmond, Yorkshire.

Members of the churches have been working alongside the Let’s End Poverty movement, and the international development charity Christian Aid.

Statistics show 14.3 million people in the UK - one in five – are living below the poverty line, with one in ten classed as ‘food insecure’. And globally – according to the UN - more than 700 million people - or 10 percent of the world’s population - live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $1.90 a day, which is about £1.49.

Local churches serve communities with a variety of projects including foodbanks, Warm Spaces, winter night shelters and debt centres but are battling with ever rising levels of hardship. Trussell Trust foodbanks alone served a record 3.1million food parcels almost double the number given out five years ago.

The Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, 'It is deeply concerning to hear of the increased scale and depth of poverty being experienced by and in communities across the UK.

'Clearly this is a problem that requires a concerted effort from every corner of society and churches up and down the country remain committed to playing their part.

'However, the goal to drastically reduce and, yes, even eliminate UK poverty will never be achieved without the necessary desire and resolve of its government.

'The mark of a county’s moral character should be judged on no less that its willingness to alleviate the suffering of its most impoverished and vulnerable citizens – we urge all Party leaders and prospective parliamentarians to commit to this end.'

The Revd Dr Simon Woodman from Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, added, 'Poverty has a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families, especially children.

'As Christians we are concerned about the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities and globally.  While many churches do what they can  by providing support services such as food banks, clothes banks, warm spaces and fundraising for international charities such as Christian Aid, there is only so much the faith community are able to do, and wider political effort is now urgently needed.'




Churches are also raising money for relief from poverty in the Global South. 

In 2022/23, Christian Aid supporters helped fund more than 275 projects, reaching 3.3 million people with everything from emergency aid to agricultural schemes to combat the climate crisis.

Christian Aid’s Head of UK Advocacy and Campaigns, Jennifer Larbie, said, 'Poverty is an injustice which affects people right around the world, with millions of people on the brink of survival; it doesn’t have to be this way. The UK can lead that change and whoever forms the next UK government can help transform lives by making poverty a priority.

'Christian Aid believes the next UK government should pay up for climate justice, take action to end the debt crises being faced by lower income countries and be a force for peace in the world.'

Paul Morrison is a Policy Advisor with the Joint Public Issues Team who support the Methodist, URC and Baptist Churches on matters regarding politics and faith. He said, 'The UK is a wealthy nation but today 1 in 10 people struggle to afford sufficient food and destitution has returned, touching the lives of 1 million of our children.

'Church projects across the country are seeing deepening poverty and increasing need. It is simply not right but with political will it can change.

'Every candidate and every party should prioritise poverty and tell voters what their plan is to turn the tide on this injustice.'

Churches can obtain their own banners from the Let’s End Poverty campaign  

Let’s End Poverty is a diverse, growing movement of people who are united behind a vision for a UK where poverty can’t keep anyone down. Baptists Together and the Joint Public Issues Team are among the faith communities who have expressed support for Let's End Poverty, while The Methodist Church in Britain and Church Action on Poverty currently provide staff to support the movement.

Anyone can be part of the movement, whether you’re an individual, a group, a faith community, a business or an organisation.