“This prize celebrates journalism that refuses to look away.”
The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils will be awarded again in 2026
This prize honours reporting that investigates the social fabric of the UK, covering topics such as poverty, housing, education, disability, welfare, and the impacts of government policy.
The goal of the prize is to bring underreported stories to national attention, and to support journalists working on difficult, long-term issues that may not lead the bulletins but carry lasting impact. Open to work published across all platforms, text, video, audio, photojournalism and social media. The judges will be looking for quality, sustained investigative journalism and story-telling across a broad range of social issues. The Orwell Prizes define social problems and public policy in the widest sense. The judges will be looking for quality, sustained investigative journalism and story-telling across a broad range of social issues.
The way we live was central to George Orwell’s work. From The Road to Wigan Pier to his closely-observed novels and essays, he tried to see Britain as it was, not as we might like it to be. He wanted – as we all must – this place, our place, to be better. So we are delighted to be working with Prospect on finding, and celebrating, reporting that reveals injustices, but above all is the basis for real change.
Professor Jean Seaton, Director, The Orwell Foundation
First awarded in 2016, the Exposing Britain’s Social Evils Prize has gained a reputation for finding and rewarding new talent, as well as celebrating high impact, long-term investigations which do not always get the attention they deserve. Previous winners, from BBC UK editor Ed Thomas to Financial Times columnist, reporter and associate editor Sarah O’Connor, continue to set the standard for social reporting in the UK and the prize remains highly valued by journalists across the nation.
The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils encourages entries from reporting that extends the reach of traditional media to connect with the public. Entries may be communicated across any of the following platforms:
- Journalistic writing (online or in print)
- Video content
- Audio content (including radio programmes, podcasts, audio reports)
- Social media content (for example, reporting via Twitter)
- Photojournalism
Previous shortlists have included investigations into elderly care, hate-crime and the treatment of children in immigration detention centres. You can learn more about our previous winners and finalists here.
Like all of The Orwell Prizes, The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils is judged by an independent panel of experts, with new judges appointed each year.
The winner receives £5,000 and will be published in Prospect Magazine. Two runners-up will receive £2,500 each, and their work may also be featured digitally.
The Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils is sponsored by Prospect Magazine. When announced the relaunched prize Sir Clive Cowdery, publisher of Prospect Magazine, said:
Prospect challenges the way we think about our world. And often that means exposing hard truths. Orwell’s legacy reminds us that social problems often arise through inaction, failed policy, or indifference. This prize celebrates journalism that refuses to look away.
Together with The Orwell Prize for Journalism and The Orwell Prize for Reporting Homelessness, this prize reflects The Orwell Foundation’s commitment to championing brave, impactful journalism, in the best tradition of George Orwell. It also aligns with Prospect’s mission to support fearless reporting that shines a light on injustice and drives public understanding of complex issues.
This prize was previously supported by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
How to enter
Entries should be made via the online form. Please read the rules of entry and make sure you have all your material to hand before completing the form.
Entry is free, and there are no charges at any point. Journalists may nominate themselves for the award, or be nominated by an editor or publicist. Entries may be individual, or made up of a small group of authors.
Thank you for your interest in the Prize – we wish you the best of luck.
