Blog: Kids can’t wait another three years

Community Activist Kerrie Friel discusses the need to fast track the Scottish Government’s new income supplement for families on low incomes. I believe that the people of Scotland are proud that we live in a society founded upon compassion and justice, yet without urgent action, one in three of our children will be swept into … Read more

Kids can’t wait for new income supplement: letter to First Minister

More than 70 leaders and organisations from across Scottish society have joined together to call on the First Minister to speed up the introduction of a new income supplement to tackle child poverty.[1] Poverty campaigners, faith leaders, academics, children’s charities, trade unions, women’s groups and industry bodies have today written a joint letter to the … Read more

Poverty Alliance responds to UN report on poverty in the UK

Responding to the report, Anela Anwar, Convenor of the Poverty Alliance, said: “This report lays bare the scandalous reality of poverty in the UK. Our social security system should be an anchor that helps us stay afloat during difficult times. But as the report makes clear, the introduction of Universal Credit, the benefits freeze and … Read more

Calls for urgent cash boost for families as Scotland’s poverty rate rises

Official statistics released today show poverty is continuing to rise in Scotland, with 24% of children (240,000) now living in poverty. In response, the Give Me Five campaign, supported by senior academics, children’s charities, anti-poverty groups and leaders of Scotland’s Churches have renewed their call for the Scottish Government to deliver an immediate cash boost … Read more

Poverty Alliance responds to Spring Statement

The Poverty Alliance have responded to today’s Spring Statement from the Chancellor, describing the failure to end the benefits freeze as a missed opportunity to unlock hundreds of thousands of people across the UK from poverty. Despite continued calls from anti-poverty organisations – as well as the Work and Pensions Committee – to end the … Read more

Poverty Alliance responds to Scottish Government budget

The Scottish Government published its draft budget today, setting out the spending aims and commitments for 2019/20. Commenting on the budget, the Poverty Alliance have described a missed opportunity to boost the incomes of families across Scotland who are struggling to get by. Neil Cowan, Poverty Alliance said: “1 million people in Scotland – including … Read more

Poverty Alliance responds to UN Special Rapporteur’s findings

The Poverty Alliance has responded today to the initial findings of the UN Special Rapporteur’s inquiry into poverty in the UK, with a call for renewed action to address rising poverty rates. The findings lay bare the impact of the decision to implement austerity policies – and particularly the impact of cuts to social security … Read more

Church leaders, academics and campaigners call for Budget to introduce new income supplement to tackle child poverty

Children’s charities, anti-poverty groups, senior academics and leaders of Scotland’s Churches have called on the Scottish Government to use its budget – due to be published on Wednesday – to urgently deliver a new income supplement for families who are struggling to get by. The calls were made in letters to Derek Mackay MSP, Cabinet … Read more

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