From starving students to emaciated pets: why are hunger and poverty the UK’s new normal?
The Conservatives have taken pragmatic, everyday charity and kindness and used it to shore up the cruel state they have created.
The Fragmentation of Poverty
Even before the endless years of Tory immiseration, there was a steady buildup of language around poverty that was depressing because it wasn’t honest. The various classifications of poverty, such as 'child poverty' and 'fuel poverty', only serve to complicate and fragment the issue at hand. In reality, poverty is a simple and widespread problem that affects many aspects of life.
The ever-expanding taxonomy of 'banks' is another example of this fragmentation. Food banks, baby banks, furniture banks, and pet food banks have become increasingly common. Last year, one in five students had to use a food bank, highlighting the need for a 'student bank'. These classifications may help to raise awareness, but they do little to address the systemic issues that lead to poverty.
The Impact of Charities
Charities play a significant role in addressing poverty and its various manifestations. Trussell Trust, for example, was founded in 1997 with the aim of helping children living on the streets in Bulgaria. They opened their first UK food bank in Salisbury in 2000, and by 2011, they had already opened their 100th food bank. The number of people in need of their services has continued to rise, with Trussell Trust delivering 3 million parcels last year alone.
Blue Cross pet food banks are a more recent development, resulting from an increase in emaciated pets. The introduction of 'multi-banks' by Gordon Brown attempted to address multiple needs at once, including food, clothing, toiletries, bedding, and furniture. While these practical solutions offer immediate relief, they do not address the underlying issues of poverty and the inability of individuals to afford basic necessities.
The Cruel State of Society
Each new solution to desperate hardship seems to further solidify the presence of poverty in society. The original vision of a fair day's work for a fair day's pay and the eradication of want, disease, ignorance, squalor, and idleness, as advocated by social reformer William Beveridge, has become a distant memory. The Conservatives, with their reliance on charity and generosity, have perpetuated a state that is marked by cruelty and increased precarity for its citizens.
The use of everyday kindness and charity to uphold a fundamentally flawed system is unforgivable. The practical measures taken, while helpful in the short term, fail to address the systemic issues that result in poverty. True change requires a holistic approach that tackles the root causes of poverty and provides sustainable solutions for all individuals.
