The lockdown policy in response to COVID-19 has further exacerbated Britain’s social divide, according to a report published by the Centre of Social Justice (CSJ) think tank. The report warned that the UK is at risk of reverting back to the ‘Two Nations’ of the Victorian era, with a growing rift between mainstream society and a struggling underclass. It identified education, work, debt, addiction, and family as the main root causes of poverty.
Titled “Two Nations: The State of Poverty in the UK,” the report revisited five “pathways” to poverty identified in a 2006 report. It found that these issues had only worsened due to successive lockdowns implemented during the pandemic. The report highlighted concerning statistics related to lockdown measures, such as a 700 percent increase in domestic abuse helpline calls, mental health impacts, severe school absence, and economic challenges.
The report indicated that the poorest people in the UK continue to struggle financially, regardless of work. It also addressed rising crime rates, addiction issues including deaths related to alcohol and drug poisoning, and the impact of family breakdowns on the most disadvantaged families.
Furthermore, the report stressed the need for a focus on addressing the root causes of poverty, emphasizing the importance of education, work, debt, addiction, and family as key areas requiring attention. It proposed a strategy beyond financial redistribution to combat the underlying factors contributing to poverty. The report was produced by the CSJ’s Social Justice Commission, comprising leaders from various sectors and political parties, including Chief Executive Andy Cook. He asserted that it is crucial to address the root causes of poverty through a holistic strategy.