Reaction to World Bank report showing global extreme poverty expected to rise for first time in over 20 years

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Responding to the World Bank Poverty and Shared Prosperity report, showing global extreme poverty expected to rise for the first time in over 20 years, Max Lawson, Oxfam’s Head of Inequality Policy said:

“The World Bank’s report clearly shows that billions of people were more vulnerable to the economic impacts of Covid-19 because of decades of economic policies which have kept them living one pay cheque away from poverty, while the richest in society accumulate ever more wealth.

“The figures are a damning indictment of the failed economic policies that will push hundreds of millions more people into destitution during this pandemic.  Action is urgently needed to protect labour rights, boost social safety nets and deliver a fairer tax system to close the gap between the richest and the rest.”

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