Liberal Democrats demand a fairer share for all

The Liberal Democrats have backed proposals to demand better for the over four million people who are trapped in deep poverty in the UK.

The proposals, passed at Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference in Bournemouth, includes calls to invest £5 billion per year to make the benefits system work for people and a £50 billion capital Rebalancing Fund to address the historic investment disparities between our nations and regions.

Speaking after the debate, Liberal Democrat MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Tim Farron said "Nothing robs you of your freedom more than poverty. Poverty is a despicable stain on any society, whatever the country. In the UK the situation is so bad that the UN felt the need to send its Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty to the UK - and his report was damning. A fifth of the country live in poverty, one and half million people are destitute and can't afford the most basic essentials, and child poverty is rising and threatens to reach record highs. With the Tories bungled roll-out of Universal Credit, their brutal 2015 cuts to benefits, and their senseless two-child limit and scandalous rape clause, millions of people's lives have worsened under this Conservative government. The Liberal Democrats demand better for those struggling in our society, we demand real freedom, not theoretical freedom. With the bold policies we passed today, we will create a stronger benefits system. Liberal Democrats will tackle poverty and ensure everyone can access the services they need and have the same opportunities regardless of where they come from with £5 billion per year investment to make the system work and a £50 billion capital Rebalancing Fund to address the historic investment disparities between our nations and regions."