Write to your MP
In the lead up to Challenge Poverty Week 2026, we’re asking you to take action by writing to your local MP.
Inequality is a huge problem in the UK – more than 1 in 5 people in the UK are living in poverty, while the number of billionaires continues to rise. Inequality isn’t not just bad for those experiencing poverty, it’s bad for everyone in an unequal society.
According to research by Kate Pickett, Aini Gauhar, Richard Wilkinson inequality:
- erodes social cohesion
- prejudices the chances of children and young people
- is a determinant of the health and wellbeing of our population
- is central to the climate crisis
We can change this, and the UK Government has committed to changing this – but we need your help to make sure it’s done properly.
Included in the Equality Act 2010 was a key tool to help tackle inequality and challenge poverty – it’s called the socio-economic duty. But it hasn’t been brought into force yet. The UK Government has committed to bringing it in during this parliament, but we are asking you to write to your MP to ensure that this is done in a way that makes the socio-economic duty as impactful as possible.
In a nutshell, the socio-economic duty requires public authorities to consider how the exercise of their powers can reduce inequality, including any mitigations they could put in place.
We’ve already seen public authorities across England adopt the socio-economic duty voluntarily, because they know it’s a useful tool to tackle inequality.
It’s already having an impact – Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service used the duty to remove the driving licence requirement for applicants, improving workforce diversity. Because of the duty, Salford City Council froze the cost of school meals during the cost-of-living crisis. In the North of Tyne Combined Authority, its voluntary adoption encouraged individuals from socially disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for internal senior roles. At Harborough Council, it led to the creation of a ‘Financial First Aid Kit,’ and in Hackney Council, it helped speed up and focus their response to the impacts of the pandemic on those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage.
Write to your MP now with this free to use tool.
What should you say to your MP?
Let them know that you live in their constituency, and you could share any issues related to poverty and inequality in your locality.
You could also include:
- That you’re writing ahead of Challenge Poverty Week 2026 because you’re concerned about poverty and inequality.
- That the UK is a deeply unequal country – research by Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson shows us that it’s not just bad for those experiencing poverty, it’s bad for everyone in an unequal society.
- That’s why it’s so important that this UK Government is working to bring the socio-economic duty of the Equality Act 2010 into force.
- That the socio-economic duty requires public authorities to consider how the exercise of their powers can reduce inequality, including any mitigations they could put in place.
- That we’ve already seen public authorities across England adopt the socio-economic duty voluntarily, because they know it’s a useful tool to tackle inequality.
Please request that your MP does three things:
- Read the 1ForEquality campaign briefing on the socio-economic duty
- Attend the drop-in event organising by the campaign on 21 October in parliament to learn more about the duty.
- Ask you MP to become a champion of the socio-economic duty – and to get in touch with Just Fair for how they can do this.