Oxfam FRED campaign says the UK is fast becoming a nation of FREDs.

Forgotten by those in power.
Ripped-off by taxes and the benefits system.
Excluded from opportunities.
Debt-ridden because they can’t afford to get by

Source: Oxfam’s Fred campaign

Oxfam has a six-point rescue plan.

Fund Low-cost Credit
Help people get through a crisis by setting a maximum interest rate on loans, and make government crisis loans easier to get.

Cut Taxes for People on Low Incomes
Make the tax system fairer by increasing the level of earnings that are exempt.

Create Sustainable Jobs
Get Britain ready for the future by major new investment in renewable technology, affordable housing and free child and social care.

Raise Benefits and Tax Credits Now
Make sure that everyone, in and out of work, has a basic income that is enough to live on.

Reform the Welfare System
Make it easier to move from benefits into work and help people achieve a decent income.

Protect People at Work
Provide better job security by properly enforcing the national minimum wage and other rights at work.

Source: Oxfam’s Fred campaign

It seems a damning indictment of the Labour government when Oxfam’s running a campaign that really should have been government policy since elected back in 1997.