Annex B: Public consultation feedback

A public consultation period for the anti-poverty strategy ran from 4 August to 13 October 2025.

153 responses were received as part of the public consultation, with 70 percent of respondents identifying themselves as York residents.

Respondents were able to provide feedback via the Council’s website and through hard copy versions of the consultation document that were made available at the Council’s customer services centre, the York Food Bank, York Community Furniture Store, CAY, and via the York Library network. Easy-read versions of the draft strategy were made available.

Responses to the public consultation will be made available on the Open Data Platform.

The public consultation period sat alongside engagement activity with a number of stakeholder groups in the city.

The feedback received during this consultation period has informed the final version of the strategy due for Executive consideration on 4 November 2025.

Poverty awareness in York

Over a quarter of respondents highlighted that they were very aware of poverty in York with a further 62 percent indicating they were quite or somewhat aware of poverty in York. This was reflected in just over 60 percent of respondents indicating that they had experienced poverty or were currently experiencing poverty. Where respondents had experienced poverty, it mainly related to food (60%) and fuel poverty (57%).

Development of the strategy

Around a third of respondents felt that the strategy adequately explained York’s plans to reduce poverty although a majority (52%) felt there were no missing actions from the strategy as proposed.

Just over half (55%) were confident (very or somewhat) that the council and its partners would take meaningful action based on the strategy. However, a similar amount felt that the voices of people with lived experience of poverty were heard and included in local decision making.

Causes of poverty and actions to address it

Low pay and insecure work (62%) and the high cost of housing (80%) were identified overwhelmingly as the main causes of poverty in the city.

A range of actions were suggested as measures to support people experiencing poverty. Key to this was access to affordable housing (with the regulation of the holiday rental market connected to this), support to reduce bills and access to coordinated, multi-agency approaches to support services (including signposting) in the community all with the need to ensure dignity and fair treatment in accessing support.

Looking ahead, respondents said that lasting change looked like a more equitable, affordable city with goods jobs and plentiful, affordable housing with a focus on the role of community connected by more effective, efficient and sustainable public transport.

Response to the public consultation

The feedback contained within the responses to the public consultation have informed the revisions to the strategy.

The strategy has been informed by the Poverty Truth Commission’s Organisational Standards and the Council has actively sought to engage groups from communities across the city.

Following feedback from the consultation, the revised strategy now includes a more detailed action plan that more fully reflects input from the consultation and engagement with stakeholder groups with an emphasis on issues such as housing, transport and access to and signposting for services.

This is a 10-year strategy for the city and will continue to evolve as issues and opportunities emerge. Throughout this process, the Council and its partners will continue to engage with residents to ensure their voice is heard.

The Council thank those who took time to respond to the consultation for their comments.