Tackling Poverty in Leicester

Introduction

Poverty impacts on every part of people’s lives, from education to employment, physical and mental health to parenting. It reduces the vibrancy of our communities, prevents people reaching their full potential and puts pressure on public services – in this way it impoverishes all of us, not just those who are directly affected.
Since 2010, Government policy to change the benefit system, a rise in insecure employment and the coronavirus pandemic have all increased levels of poverty in Leicester. We wait to see the full impact of Brexit.

We need to be a city where we seek help early and confidently – about our health, our debts, our bills, our homes. Together, we need to provide help and advice at the earliest point that our residents need it, and to build on the work that is already done by the council and others.

The following information is set out to understand poverty in Leicester and capture the lived experience of residents. This site makes data available to inform local decision making and maximise funding opportunities. We set out ways to help mitigate the impacts of poverty and support people out of it. We also outline where we are lobbying for national government to make changes.

Our Anti-Poverty approach sits alongside and is underpinned by other council strategies on the economy, climate emergency, health inequalities and our commitment to make Leicester a Real Living Wage city, to make a significant and lasting impact on poverty in our city.

We recognise this work goes far wider than the council. Leicester has an amazing community and voluntary sector that is already doing incredible work to support people. By sharing the information we have, we will help an even wider network of organisations to support this work. Our businesses, schools and public sector partners all have huge and important roles to play. To make a real difference we need the broadest possible anti-poverty network as well as national lobbying.

In developing this work, we spoke to well over 500 people. I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed so far. This is an evolving site and will be regularly updated. We need to continue to learn, to listen and to enable the best support for the people who need it most.