A backbench Conservative MP has told a panel of charity sector leaders that “government should be the last resort” for alleviating poverty.
Robin Millar was speaking at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event alongside panellists from Christians Against Poverty and the Trussell Trust, who both disagreed with his statements.
Millar, who had been called in to replace former housing minister Eddie Hughes at short notice, said “we mustn’t remove from society the dignity of help” through government support.
During the event, Millar was asked about what “the balance of the role of community and also of state led intervention” should be.
In response, he said: “We mustn’t remove from society the dignity of help. This is important when we think of the state as being the last resort if you like. What that assumes is that we’re all passive recipients or those who are poorest are in passive receipt of benefit or goodness. But state’s role should not steamroller the independent dignity from helping others around us.”
Christians Against Poverty: 'Community spirit could be helping people thrive, not survive’
Gareth McNab, director of external affairs for Christians Against Poverty, responded to Millar by saying it would be great if community spirit was helping people thrive rather than survive. Putting money in people’s hands can give them the agency to thrive, he continued.
“I don’t think that erodes society, I don’t think that says there isn’t a role for charities in society. I don’t think there’s a monopoly of the state on all aspects of our life. When it’s up to the fundamentals of avoiding destitution that’s not something that I want my neighbour to feel a sense of responsibility for me, though they probably will.”
Earlier on in the event, McNab cited the growing number of people calling the charity since the cost-of-living crisis.
“Living is costing absolutely everything for so many people and it’s just not OK.”
While Millar is not a minister in government and unaware of what is being decided on raising benefits in line with inflation, he said “the evidence is there that this is a government that does act and respond to this level of need in society.”
Trussell Trust: ‘Food banks are a sticking plaster – the government is better placed to intervene’
Emma Revie, chief executive The Trussell Trust, agreed that the question about the role of the state and the sector was an important one.
“We need to hold our part of providing solutions as a third sector organisation – however what you will hear from our volunteers is just how inadequate a food parcel is as a solution.
“The problem is insufficient income, a food parcel is a sticking plaster – it’s not the right solution. So, I think we can be focusing on the stuff we do really well, which is providing community, providing support, and safe places of welcome; but if we are providing mass food aid at the same time that is not fit for purpose to address the problem at hand, that is when we look to the state and see how can the state be better placed to intervene.”
The panel was hosted by Bright Blue and Christians Against Poverty.
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