Polices targeted wealth creation in the belief that increased wealth would eventually 'trickle down' and benefit the population at large. However, since the early 1980s increases in benefits have risen in line with prices rather than with incomes, and many benefits have been cut or curtailed. They are increasingly insufficient to cover the real costs of living. They have said that what is popularly referred to as 'poverty' today is in fact merely inequality. These attitudes have fostered a general indifference or even hostility among the public towards both those who experience poverty and measures to tackle it.
Poverty also prevents people from making a meaningful contribution to society.
A new Labour Government was elected in May 1997. The challenge it faces is to reduce poverty and inequality and repair the social fabric. References 1 Alcock P,Understanding Poverty, Macmillan, 1993. The Facts, Child Poverty Action Group, 1996. 3 EC Council of Ministers, Article 1.2, 1984.