People not problems: Politicians respond to five experiences of severe and multiple disadvantage

The challenge of systematic and interlocking disadvantage is not new. Successive generations of policymakers have grappled with the root causes of poverty and unemployment, violence and trauma, family breakdown and neglect. While some interventions have had success, the problem today is in many ways worse than it has ever been. Austerity has contributed to an increase in child poverty, rough sleeping and drug deaths. Stretched public services are struggling to provide the necessary level of help, with charitable provision failing to fill the gaps.

This report centres on the experiences of five people with experience of severe and multiple disadvantage: Lucy, Rebecca, Keith, Louise, and William.

With responses from Lisa Nandy MP, Michael Tomlinson MP, Stephen Timms MP, Maria Caulfield MP and others.