Despite all our progress, poverty in the UK is worse than 50 years ago

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For all the progress we’ve made, the more visible forms of poverty have actually increased. And, in 2025, destitution – going without two of seven essentials like food, toiletries or shelter – is rising faster than deep poverty, reports Zoë Beaty

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e’re dealing with a divided Britain. We’re dealing with a social crisis,” Gordon Brown said last week. It was a stark warning, yes, of the realities of a country steeped in instability – but it was also a recognition of something unnerving: regression.