Charity urges voters to challenge candidates on poverty plans

A charity is encouraging people to ask their local candidates how they plan to tackle poverty in Bury

Christians Against Poverty (CAP), operates a debt centre in Bury providing free independent debt guidance in partnership with The Bury Project.

The CAP has introduced an online form, which allows individuals to pose questions to their prospective parliamentary candidates.

CAP's Bury debt centre manager, Gordon Clark, said: "Poverty in the UK is a matter of public urgency and must be a priority for our next government.

"Every week I see clients who are trying to survive on incomes so low they don’t even cover the basics.

"Even after we’ve given all our professional debt advice, half the people we see have so little income their budgets simply can’t be made to balance.

"Skipping meals, going without heating on cold days, sleepless nights, feeling anxious, depressed and isolated, this is what living in poverty looks like for many of the people I help in Bury.

"The impact of poverty is huge, both on families and the wider community."

People can access the form on CAP's website (capuk.org/ppc).

Mr Clark added: "The impact of poverty is huge, both on families and the wider community.

"Almost half our clients considered or attempted suicide before coming to us for help.

"Over 14 million people in the UK are trying to survive on incomes that don’t allow them to buy the essentials the rest of us take for granted."

People can access the form on CAP's website (capuk.org/ppc).