Headline news on poverty and the pandemic

The Bevan Foundation’s findings on the shocking impact of the pandemic on people on low incomes hit the headlines on Wednesday, 17th February.

The Bevan Foundation’s findings on the impact of the pandemic on people in poverty hit the headlines throughout Wednesday, 17th February.  The findings were the leading item on BBC Wales Today lunchtime and evening news, and the Bevan Foundation’s Director also commented on BBC Radio Wales Breakfast show (in headlines and at 7.15 am and 8.15 am).

In her contribution to Wales Today news, Bevan Foundation Director Victoria Winckler said:

“People on low incomes have taken a huge hit from the pandemic.  Not only have they had higher infection rates and higher death rates, but their incomes have been affected and their children’s futures have been affected.  It has been a terrible, terrible exposure of the inequalities in society.”

The Bevan Foundation welcomed the announcement of increased eligibility for the £500 payment for people on low incomes who are self-isolating. However,  the effect on earnings goes beyond the effects of self-isolation, and include loss of earnings due to redundancy, a reduction in earnings because of furlough, reduction in hours of work and loss of tips and bonuses.

The Bevan Foundation’s analysis of the impact of the pandemic on the population as a whole is available here. Its analysis of the impact on specific groups of people is here.  You can also watch the webinar here.