Impoverished

Joanna Mack is a Visiting Fellow at the Open University, an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bristol and a consulting editor of the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. She pioneered a groundbreaking methodology for measuring poverty, which has been adopted by international governments, agencies and researchers, and has played a pivotal role in a series of research surveys, culminating in the UK’s largest study of poverty and social exclusion. A former award-winning TV producer/director, her documentaries have shaped public debate and policy. She has authored several influential books on poverty, childhood and social change and created the widely used resource www.poverty.ac.uk.

"Joanna Mack sets out her timely response to the ‘deeply flawed and inhumane’ policies that led to rising poverty and destitution in the UK and the change that has to come including how to pay for it. It is comprehensive, detailed and timely." Alison Garnham, Child Poverty Action Group "Based on her unparalleled expertise, Mack exposes the political choices behind mass poverty and provides an urgent blueprint for renewal. This is a powerful, rigorous, and deeply humane book." Richard Wilkinson, The Equality Trust

• Introduction: The promise of changeChapter 1: The breadth and depth of impoverishmentChapter 2: The collapse of the safety netChapter 3: Blaming the vulnerableChapter 4: Why isn’t work a route out of poverty?Chapter 5: The dismantling of services tackling disadvantageChapter 6: How the UK’s housing system drives povertyChapter 7: How destitution is designed into the UK’s immigration systemChapter 8: The interlocking challenges of climate change and povertyChapter 9: Lowering the basic costs of living Chapter 10: Renewing public servicesChapter 11: Income security for allChapter 12: Making change happen