The substantive focus of Gordon Brown (‘Starve and shiver with Sunak’ is the reality for millions. The chancellor can – and must – stop it, 15 June) and Jack Monroe (Poverty leaves scars for life – I’m still scared of strangers at the door and bills through the letterbox, 16 June) on the dire experiences and consequences of those in extreme poverty and destitution captures the depths to which many have been plunged by the policies of this government. In addition, a significant impact arising from such a low bar has been the limitation in the parameters of political and policy debates.
In the context of reductions in child poverty under the Blair and Brown governments up to 2010, prominence was also given to relative poverty, its impact on different groups and the spectrum of inequalities in causing poverty.
What is noticeable by its absence from Brown’s article is any reference to Labour party policy. You would expect, within two years of a general election, detailed and costed proposals relating to the dignity of a living wage without charity, progressive income tax and wealth reform.
Prof Mike Stein
University of York
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