All Party Parliamentary Group On Poverty

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty was distinctive among All Party Parliamentary Groups in that, as a priority, it encouraged and facilitated the direct participation of people with current or recent experience of poverty.

It offered a forum and a procedure that enabled people living in poverty to prepare direct representations to Ministers and parliamentarians; and by the same token, Ministers and parliamentarians engaged directly with people affected by Government policy decisions. The value of these dynamic meetings of the Group has been appreciated both by those experiencing poverty and, increasingly, by Ministers and parliamentarians.

Origins of the Group

After the UK Government signed the Declaration and Programme of Action at the World Summit on Social Development in March 1995, the UK Coalition Against Poverty (UKCAP) was formed. This was a broad alliance bringing together people living in poverty alongside voluntary organisations, local authorities, faith-based organisations and grassroots groups. Once established, it sought support from parliamentarians, and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty was set up in 1996.

Once founded, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty highlighted two broad working themes:

• To support the UN Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006), and in doing so, to monitor and press for Government progress
• To promote the active involvement and participation of people living in poverty in the development of policies and legislation which impact on their everyday lives

Structure

The structure of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty maintained a 50/50 spilt between the participation of grassroots activists and parliamentarians. While the official members of the Group are parliamentarians, in practice it reinforced a dialogue, so that grassroots activists and voluntary organisations could enter into verbal exchange and provide expert analysis of complex policy areas, often highlighting their practical implications.

The level of involvement of organisations fluctuated over the years. All participants who were on the circulation list received full minutes of the meetings, and were invited to participate in preparation sessions prior to meetings of the Group.

The level of involvement of organisations has fluctuated over the years. All participants who are on the circulation list receive full minutes of the meetings, and are invited to participate in preparation sessions prior to meetings of the Group.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty entered a new phase under the new Chair of the Group the Rt. Hon John Battle MP. Mr Battle has a long history of working with anti-poverty organisations and he has been involved in both local and national projects, including the relatively recent campaign to Make Poverty History. There was a new structure and focus to the group which was established towards the end of 2006. All partners are committed to working hard to engage parliamentarians in poverty issues, highlighting the challenges that are faced in eradicating UK poverty, so watch this space!