Melissa Hussain is Founder of Anti-Poverty Conservatives.
As the Conservative and Unionist Party selects its next leader, it must not overlook one critical issue: poverty. Currently, 14.4 million people in the UK live in poverty, including 4.3 million children, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
In our role as the Opposition, we face the challenge of advocating for change without the immediate power to enact policies. However, this does not diminish our responsibility to represent the values and ideals that our party stands for.
The Conservative Record: Successes and Challenges
The Conservative Party has a long history of tackling poverty through its emphasis on work, opportunity, and fiscal responsibility. Under David Cameron’s leadership, landmark reforms restructured the welfare system and encouraged work through initiatives like Universal Credit. The expansion of apprenticeships under David Cameron and Theresa May provided hundreds of thousands of young people with the skills necessary to access secure and meaningful employment, offering a pathway out of poverty for many.
While in Opposition, we must continue to champion these successes, demonstrating how our approach has historically lifted families out of hardship. We can highlight the need for ongoing reforms and present thoughtful critiques of current government policies, urging the public to consider the effectiveness of our proposals.
A Conservative Vision for a United Future
The Conservative and Unionist Party, as its name suggests, is uniquely positioned to unite socioeconomic classes under a shared vision of economic opportunity and prosperity. As the leadership contest progresses, it is essential that contenders outline how they will ensure that all citizens—regardless of income—can succeed in the years ahead.
At the core of this vision must be a renewed focus on addressing in-work poverty. While Conservative policies have done much to reduce unemployment, it is now time to raise wages and improve job security for lower-income workers. In opposition, we can advocate for these changes, influencing the public narrative, and preparing to implement these strategies when we return to government.
Apprenticeships: A Model for Future Success
One of the most significant achievements of recent Conservative governments has been the expansion of apprenticeship programs. These initiatives provide young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with a clear route into well-paying jobs. Since 2010, employers have created more than 5.5 million apprenticeships, helping to reduce youth unemployment and improve overall productivity.
In our current role, we must ensure that apprenticeships and vocational training remain a core component of our policy proposals. Rishi Sunak recognised the need for reform in education by promoting T-levels—new technical qualifications designed to provide students with practical skills and experience relevant to the workplace. T-levels offer an alternative to traditional academic routes, equipping students with the knowledge they need for high-demand industries.
Welfare Reform: Balancing Accountability and Compassion
The introduction of Universal Credit was one of the most significant welfare reforms in recent history. Its goal was clear: to simplify the benefits system and make work pay. While it has reduced reliance on welfare, adjustments are necessary to ensure it serves its intended purpose effectively.
The next Conservative leader will need to refine Universal Credit to ensure it remains both compassionate and effective. Key improvements should address delays in payments that cause financial stress for families and revise the sanctions system to avoid unfair penalties on vulnerable individuals. Tackling welfare fraud remains vital. Since the pandemic, more than £8 billion annually has been incorrectly paid out in the welfare system due to fraud and errors. Further accountability will help protect public funds and guarantee that support reaches those who are truly in need.
Addressing Housing and Childcare Affordability
A key driver of poverty in the UK is the rising cost of housing and childcare. For many families, high rents and mortgage costs consume a significant portion of their income, leaving little room for savings or investment in their future. Similarly, the high cost of childcare forces many parents—particularly mothers—out of the workforce, limiting their earning potential.
The next Prime Minister must prioritise affordable housing policies and expand access to childcare support. Increasing the supply of affordable homes through targeted housebuilding initiatives and expanding homeownership schemes for lower-income families will help reduce housing-related poverty. Furthermore, addressing the gaps in the current childcare system, such as extending free childcare hours or providing greater support for working parents, will ensure that more families can balance work and family life without falling into poverty.
Conservative Values and the Path Forward
At the heart of the Conservative Party’s approach to poverty reduction are the values of hard work, personal responsibility, and opportunity. By emphasising these principles, we can create policies that support economic growth while ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to succeed.
As we navigate our role in opposition, the next leader of the Conservative Party has a special opportunity to build on the progress made over the past decade while addressing new challenges we face today. If they can unite our economic and social policies around a vision of prosperity for all, they will not only lift more families out of poverty but also win back the trust of our core voters who believe in a Britain where hard work is rewarded, and opportunity is accessible to everyone.
