The Poverty Alliance has published a manifesto for Thursday’s local authority elections. The manifesto sets out what can be done at a local level to tackle poverty including the provision of high quality, affordable childcare and universal access to free breakfast clubs.
The Poverty Alliance is also asking local authorities to commit to dignity and respect in the Scottish Welfare Fund and ensure everyone who needs help is able to access it. On top of this, it is hoped that more local authorities in Scotland will seek Scottish Living Wage Accreditation, with only thirteen of thirty-two councils currently accredited.
Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Too often anti-poverty work is focused on the national when there are many things that can be done at local level. “People on low incomes are more likely to rely on council services and it is therefore important that these services work in a way that benefits people. They must be accessible, flexible and treat people with the dignity and respect that they require.
“Local authorities also employ a significant number of people across Scotland, both directly and indirectly through supply chains. We therefore want to see all 32 of Scotland’s local authorities seek Living Wage accreditation to ensure that everyone who is paid through council money receives at least the Living Wage.
“There is already good anti-poverty work happening at local authority level in Scotland, and our manifesto sets out how this can be built on”.
To read the manifesto, click here or see below
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