Read the latest news on poverty in Scotland.
Researchers say improvements to Universal Credit are urgently needed to help support young adults in Scotland. The Poverty Alliance spoke with young adult parents and care-experienced young adults about their experiences of claiming Universal Credit. The research highlighted how the application and process can be confusing and hard to navigate for young adults, and how … Read more
Campaigners say tens of thousands of people on low incomes are at risk of being ‘disenfranchised by deprivation’ in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections. New research by the Poverty Alliance has found an 11% gap in voter turnout at the last Scottish elections between the top and bottom 10 constituencies in terms of deprivation. The … Read more
Anti‑poverty campaigners say Glasgow City Council has laid the foundations for a better city by supporting the development of a Minimum Income Guarantee. At yesterday’s (2 Apr) Full Council meeting, councillors backed a motion lodged by Springburn & Robroyston councillor Graham Campbell, pledging the council to support the transformational policy. The Guarantee would ensure that … Read more
Scotland´s anti-poverty network says the Chancellor can bring in a new social tariff to help people struggling with their energy bills. The Poverty Alliance was reacting to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who says that the UK Government is looking to create a system of support for households on lower incomes. Peter Kelly, Chief Executive of The … Read more
Campaigners have called for a Minimum Income Guarantee and an immediate increase in the Scottish Child Payment that will lift thousands out of poverty. Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly was reacting to new Scottish Government figures on poverty and inequality. He said: “Poverty is a profound injustice that robs people of what they need … Read more
Poverty campaigners say the Chancellor can do much more to reassure people who are at risk of fuel poverty due to rocketing bills. Rachel Reeves told the House of Commons today that the UK Government was considering plans to provide targeted energy bill support for people on low incomes. But there was no detail of … Read more
Listen to our Policy & Campaigns Manager Gary Christie on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast https://www.povertyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/XRecorder_20260317_01-1.mp3 Anti-poverty campaigners say they are worried that the UK Government might not be giving enough support to off-grid households struggling to pay for heating oil. Earlier this month, the Poverty Alliance raised concerns about the impact of rising oil prices … Read more
Scotland’s anti-poverty network has published its reaction to the new Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan. Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: ¨People in Scotland want a just and compassionate country where every child gets the decent start in life they deserve. “In 2017, every MSP from every political party at Holyrood came together to … Read more
For more than 30 years, The Poverty Alliance have campaigned for the changes needed to bring about an end to poverty. Our manifesto ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026, the basis of which is the delivery of a Minimum Income Guarantee for Scotland. This is a bold policy idea, but we believe it … Read more
Anti-poverty campaigners are demanding that the UK Government gives cash support to households facing big rises in the price of their household heating oil. The Poverty Alliance says it is worried about the impact of rising crude oil prices on the living costs of people who use oil and liquid gas to heat their homes. … Read more
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