Tackling poverty needs investment in local services

Reacting to today’s statement from Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “People in Scotland believe that government has a moral obligation to help make sure everyone has enough to live a dignified life, and that no-one lives with the injustice of poverty. That’s even more true during a time … Read more

Crisis demands even more action to tackle poverty

Reacting to today’s statement from the Chancellor, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Government should be about making sure everyone can live a dignified life, and finding the courage and compassion to tackle poverty and inequality. “We’re pleased that the Chancellor has finally listened to calls for a windfall tax on energy companies … Read more

Social security is a right - Scowr

Scotland must embrace chance to renew social security

Reacting to today’s Audit Scotland report on Social Security Scotland, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “Our social security system should be there to address the injustice of poverty, but over the years the UK system has been systematically undermined. It no longer provides the support people need to live a dignified life. “Devolved social … Read more

10 Downing Street

Queen’s Speech a failure of courage and compassion

Reacting to today’s Queen’s Speech, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “People want a UK Government that believes in compassion and justice, and in making sure everyone can live a dignified life. This Queen’s Speech has failed to live up to those values. “People in poverty are struggling to keep their heads above … Read more

New councillors can help end poverty – local election manifesto

Candidates in May’s local elections are being urged to take a pledge to tackle poverty in their communities. The pledge shows that candidates support the measures in a new manifesto, launched today (Thu 21) by the Poverty Alliance, including prioritising poverty as an issue, boosting incomes, improving local services, and strengthening communities. Poverty Alliance director … Read more

A family saving money.

Apply now for the Scottish Child Payment!

The Poverty Alliance has launched a new information leaflet, to help parents and carers apply for the Scottish Child Payment. The Scottish Child Payment from Social Security Scotland is worth £80 every four weeks for each eligible child aged under 6. For children aged between 6 and 16, you may be eligible for a bridging … Read more

New poverty figures highlight ‘unjust’ benefit cut

Reacting to the publication of new statistics on poverty in Scotland and across the UK, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “In a compassionate society like ours, we believe in looking after one another and protecting each other from harm. But these new figures show that we are failing to put that compassion into practice. … Read more

Child poverty measures welcomed, but more to do

Reacting to the Scottish Government’s publication of its Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Child poverty is unjust and unnecessary. It’s a sign of Scotland’s commitment to compassion and justice that there are stretching targets to end it. “A clear message from Poverty Alliance members ahead of the  new … Read more

Chancellor’s statement a failure of courage and compassion

Reacting to today’s Spring Statement (Wed 23 Mar) , Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “Government should be about compassion and justice, and making sure people are able to live as full a life as they can. The Chancellor said his Spring Statement today was all about security. Yet his plans show a … Read more

10 Downing Street

Campaigners tell Downing Street to #ScrapTheCap

Anti-poverty campaigners will go to Downing Street today (Tue 22 Mar) to tell Chancellor Rishi Sunak to end the ‘unjust’ benefit cap, on the same day that new polling revealed a majority of the UK public want to see the policy scrapped. Last week, more than 100 campaign groups, trade unions, faith groups and health … Read more

Stay in the loop