Poverty In Scotland 2026 | JRF Scotland

JRF Scotland invites you to join us for the launch of the Poverty in Scotland 2026 report.

Register to attend online or in-person here

At the event we will share the latest findings on poverty in Scotland and discuss the vital role local government can play in preventing and reducing it. We’ll bring new evidence on the scale of poverty together with on fresh polling on public feelings/attitudes about their councils and local public services. The event will explore how national and local government can work together to build the fairer, more responsive services people need.

Councils are critical in the mission to ending child poverty. They have clear responsibilities and significant opportunities to tackle poverty through the design and delivery of services. But they cannot do this alone. Sustainable progress also requires fairer local funding and the resources to match ambition.

We’ll be joined by a panel bringing national, local and frontline perspectives to the discussion, including:

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing
Peter Kelly, Chief Executive, The Poverty Alliance
Councillor Mark Flynn, Leader of Dundee City Council,
Kezia Dugdale Associate Director, Centre for Public Policy
Laura Miller, CEO of Fife Gingerbread. Further speakers will be confirmed closer to the event. There will also be lunch and networking following the event.

You can register to attend our launch event by clicking here.

This is a timely opportunity to consider how local and national leaders can turn public concern into visible, practical action and help rebuild confidence that public services work for everyone.