Poverty & Inequality Programme

For the next 5 years the Trust has committed the majority of its funding resources to a structured programme that will be focused on the issues of poverty and inequality in the UK.

Funding applications outside of that programme may be considered provided they relate to the provision of solutions to the reduction in poverty and inequality in the UK. Applications should be made online using this application form

All the work supported should reflect the original aims and ambitions of the Webbs – the achievement of social and economic justice and the advancement of education and learning with respect to the history and problems of government and social policy.

Funding applications from individuals including students will be rejected.

Anyone wishing to contribute any views, comments or observations about poverty and inequality, or on the programme itself can do so online by completing this submission form

A new and fairer deal – The January Declaration

The Webb Memorial Trust has launched a North East based campaign calling for a new and fairer deal for our region.

The campaign started with a letter to the Journal published on 11^th January 2011 and signed by a number of prominent local North East people (including individuals from all the major political parties). Within a couple of months, we hope to have some hundreds of signatures to the declaration. We wish to publicise the declaration widely to influence thinking and actions.

If you are living in, or are from the North East please add your support by sending us your full contact details in an email putting “I support the January Declaration” in the subject line.

If you live outside our region and are interested in the idea you may wish to think about developing a similar approach for your region.

Below is our “January Declaration” which we are asking people to sign up to:

A new and fairer deal

As we enter the New Year with uncertainty over the prospects for the economy, it is predicted that the incomes of the poorest 10 per cent in this region are likely to fall by 12 per cent. Many more could join the unemployment queue if the economy contracts further, particularly if the Euro crisis hurts our trading partners at a time when more spending cuts affect the public sector.  North east local authorities could be hit hard and children, young people and poorer pensioners are vulnerable.

Amid such tough conditions, we need to recognise that poverty is a feature of a weak society and that even those in work – let alone the tens of thousands jobless – can sometimes live below the poverty line as living standards fall. They need not only our sympathy but also, where necessary, our help.

This new reality, we are sure, will be recognised in a region with a tradition of standing together when times get tough. Those out of work, and dependent on benefit – the new jobless, and the longer-term unemployed – need to be treated with respect.  No one should be made a scapegoat, as blaming the victims of society’s failure solves nothing.

In Scotland, for instance, politicians have put aside their differences to view poverty as an enemy corroding the heart of society. They realise the importance of treating all people with dignity, regardless of income, gender, race, status and background but more is needed in the north east.

We all must pull together to create a better region – companies, charities, local councils, universities, colleges, schools, civil society and individuals – through self-help and, crucially, through pressing the government where necessary for a better deal by allocating scarce resources on a fair and equitable basis across England to ensure a level economic playing field.

In these extremely challenging times, people in positions of responsibility also have to lead by example. Shareholders and local politicians – institutions and individuals – need to recognise that extreme differentials in pay and rewards between top earners and the rest, whether in the private or public sectors, sends out the wrong signals to the vast majority. Ultimately, this is bad for business while undermining a cohesive society.

The north east has much strength – human and natural resources, world-beating research institutions, innovative local authorities, strong local companies, ambitious young people and graduates, social entrepreneurs – which can be harnessed for the benefit of everyone.

Let us pledge in 2012  - in this  ‘January Declaration’ – to work together for the benefit of the region and press, where necessary, for a fair deal from the Government to ensure that we can all play our part in making England, and Britain, stronger and fairer as a whole.

The January declaration means that we will:

- Work together to create a North East, which is good for everyone

- Treat everyone in the region with dignity, regardless of economic status

 - Press for a fair deal from Government for this region

If you are living in, or are from the North East please add your support by sending us your full contact details in an email to webb@cranehouse.eu putting “I support the January Declaration” in the subject line.

  A Minority View – What Beatrice Webb would say now

Beatrice Webb had a plan of what a good society free from poverty would look like. It took 30 years for her views to be accepted, but they became the basis for Britain’s welfare state, and in the 30 years following the Second World War, British society made good progress on poverty as a result.

However, in the past 30 years, we have lost our way and interest in poverty has waned. The result is a stain on our society that costs us all dearly. We asked some of Britain’s best-known commentators to say what should be done to address poverty. A new book, A Minority View: What Beatrice Webb would say now, presents their answers.

Much of what the authors say is common sense. They suggest that we need to ensure that there is a plentiful supply of jobs at a living wage, tax only people who can afford it, and pay people who cannot work. Others suggest that it is important to tackle the structural factors that lead to disabled people, women, and black and minority ethnic groups being overrepresented among those on low incomes.

The Webb Memorial Trust is undertaking a review of these issues over the next five years. A Minority View is the first of a series that will develop a narrative of what a society without poverty would look like and how to achieve it. Such an approach involves a combination of radical and practical thinking on work, income, taxation, social security, wealth, values, and much else.

Download a pdf of the book here or if you would like a free copy in paperback email a request to webb@cranehouse.eu giving your full postal address.

Measurement of Poverty: A Prize Essay Competition

“Poverty is not due to a weakness of individual character but is a problem of social structure and economic management”

These words by Beatrice Webb, co-founder of the New Statesman were as relevant in 1909 as they are today. What does poverty mean to people? What factors should be taken into account in defining poverty? And crucially, how can we engage more people in solving it?

The Webb Memorial Trust and the NEW STATESMAN ran a joint competition to develop a ‘Measurement of Poverty Index‘:

Essay Title

“If Beatrice was alive today and wanted to develop an index of poverty in the UK what factors would be included, how would they be measured, and how would they be weighted? Also how would you use such an index to promote the issue of poverty in the public and political consciousness?”

The Webb Memorial Trust and the New Statesman are delighted to announce that the winner of this year’s Essay Competition is Anil Prashar and the runner-up is Celia Goodburn.

Anil receives a cheque for £1000 and will have his winning essay published in the New Statesman. Celia receives a cheque for £500

You can download and read the essays by selecting them from our Publications & Reports Panel on the right hand side of this page.

The judges were: Richard Rawes (Chair Webb Memorial Trust), Jason Cowley (Editor New Statesman), Baroness Ruth Lister, Kate Green MP, Chris White MP, Paul Hackett (Director Smith Institute)