STANDING UP AGAINST POVERTY AND INEQUALITY

Whilst other continents successfully reduce poverty, Europe adds to it. Poverty in Europe is steadily and worringly rising. It is the most vulnerable that are paying the highest price for the recession, and subsequent austerity. We are seeing more social exclusion, more working poverty, and more children growing up in deprived households.

The top countries where people are at risk of poverty or social exclusion are Bulgaria 49.1%, Latvia 40.4%, Romania 40.3%, Lithuania 33.4%, Croatia 32.7%. Poverty is on the increase in France, Romania, Spain, Sweden and many other countries as reported by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the IFRC’s mapping exercise carried out in early 2013. Not only are more people falling into poverty, but the poor are getting poorer, and the sense is that the gaps between the wealthy and the poor are growing. This means that the ‘social distance’ required to climb back into mainstream society is growing.

Some schocking statistics

• 18 million people are receiving EU funded aid
• 43 million do not get enough to eat each day
• 25 million children are at risk of poverty or social exclusion
• 120 million are at risk of poverty or social exclusion

 This is a badge of shame for the EU and must be tackled as matter of priority. In order to tackle poverty now, what Europe needs is more ambition. It needs to stop defaulting on its commitment to mainstream adequate social protection and fight against social exclusion in all its policies and activities. The EU should remain a beacon for hope, not an institution that breaks its promises to European citizens. This is vital for the survival of the EU itself - future support depends on a firm balance between economic and social goals agreed democratically.

Member states urgently need to agree to challenge austerity collectively. They must defend universal social protection systems, pursue a balanced Europe 2020 growth strategy, and ensure Europe is moving steadily towards making sure all citizens have enough to live with dignity. Furthermore, the process of implementing any adjustment or growth policies within countries must be accountable. Poverty and inequality in Europe are political choices. But Europe can choose to change course now - choose to listen to its citizens and ensure the next few years do not turn into hopelessly lost decades.