Tag: Challenge Poverty Week

Challenge Poverty Week: Change is possible, says Public Health Scotland

This Challenge Poverty Week, Public Health Scotland’s CEO, Paul Johnston explains how PHS are advocating for a Scotland where everyone has access to an adequate income to enable a healthy standard of living:

Living in poverty is detrimental to health and one of the main causes of poor health and health inequalities, with negative consequences for children and adults. Policy changes which impact on the drivers of poverty (income from employment, income from social security and the cost of living) have the potential to impact on population health and health inequalities.

Since 2010 a series of changes have been implemented to the UK (reserved) social security system. An intention of The Welfare Reform Act 2012 which triggered these changes was to help people into work and reduce poverty for adults and children, which in turn would lead to improvements in health.

Policies included reduced financial support to low-income families with three or more children and increased conditionality for lone parents. These are families who already have an increased risk of living in poverty.

Since 2013, Public Health in Scotland (PHS) has been monitoring the economic and health trends associated with Welfare Reform. Our latest report Improving Lives? highlights that the anticipated improvements to income and health from Welfare Reform have not been realised for people in Scotland.

Aspects of health have worsened or remained unchanged since 2010 and importantly, many of these trends pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic. These trends were also observed for the rest of the UK. A forthcoming PHS systematic review found that for people exposed to the changes, UK Welfare Reform made mental health worse, and had no positive effect on physical health.

While some working-age families and children benefitted from Welfare Reform (through increased employment), these gains were offset by those who were harmed by the changes.

This is concerning, especially as our report shows that population groups most likely to be affected by these changes are the groups who are already more likely to be at risk of or experiencing poverty. We know from 2013 that the relative child poverty rates in Scotland increased after a period of decline.

Evidence also tells us that mental health problems became more prevalent, especially after 2015, while health inequalities have risen. The period also saw stalled improvement or worsening trends in financial insecurity and long-term sickness.

This Challenge Poverty Week, we are advocating for a Scotland where everyone has access to an adequate income to enable a healthy standard of living. This will help to create a Scotland where everybody thrives.

A number of changes are needed to make this happen. These include promoting quality employment which supports good health. Almost 19% of employees in Scotland aged 18-55 are in poor quality work, and most working-age adults and children in poverty live in a household where someone works.

We also need to ensure our social security system protects people’s mental health and wellbeing. This could include an Essentials Guarantee to protect people from hardship, supported by 72% of the population.

It could also include improved support for working-age adults with health problems, especially mental health problems.

We know that change is possible.

During 1997–2010 policy choices by the UK government directed financial support at children and pensioners and as a result poverty fell for both of these groups. This period also saw increased employment rates translate into improved mental health for lone parents. This proves that we can make a difference to people’s lives through social security and employment policies.

In Scotland, child poverty rates are lower than many other UK nations. In Scotland, we are doing things differently to tackle child poverty.

The Scottish Government estimates that around 100,000 children will be kept out of poverty as a result of the Scottish Child Payment this year and low-income families are being further supported with the costs of pregnancy and looking after children through Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods payments.

Scotland is delivering a strengthened employment offer to parents, to provide holistic support and address specific barriers to enable more parents to gain and progress in work. This along with focussed action to create a Fair Work Nation, which includes supporting more employers to pay the living wage, provides a platform to build on, to support more parents to escape poverty.

Learning and evidence from past UK policy approaches and Scotland’s actions to tackle child poverty should be used to inform further policy changes to address poverty and improve health.

It is imperative that providing an effective social security safety net for when families need it and creating high quality, flexible employment opportunities for parents, will be central to the UK’s child poverty strategy going forward.

Scottish Secretary pledges to take action on poverty

Ian Murray welcomes recommendations by Joseph Rowntree Foundation and vows to work with Scottish Government to tackle associated issues and break down barriers

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray spoke at the launch of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s (JRF) annual report into poverty in Scotland this week [7 October].

The report, summarised here, found that one million people in Scotland are living in poverty and that one in four of them are children. Recommendations were made to overhaul the social security system to tackle the problem and, in particular, for the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to make the process smoother in terms of reserved and devolved policy areas.

Ian Murray said: “I want to outline some of the steps that the new UK Government is taking to reduce poverty in Scotland and across the whole of the UK.

“We are committed to working together with the Scottish Government, and to reset the relationship between our two governments. Because, as this latest report highlights, it is vital that we can deliver on behalf of the people of Scotland.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with organisations such as Poverty Alliance to understand fully the complexities of what’s happening. 

“Having one million people in poverty – a quarter of those children – is really sobering. But I think the most sobering thing is that none of us are surprised, and that really should be the thing that we need to tackle in terms of policy.

“We are only 95 days into this new government and we’ve already done a lot of engagement to make sure we can develop these policies, whether it be in social security or regarding the underlying parts of poverty. 

“With the Budget coming up on 30 October, the Chancellor has been clear on two things. One is the economic inheritance that we’ve got to try and deal with and that those with the broadest shoulders will carry the majority of what needs to be done to grow the economy for all parts of our country.

“Reducing poverty across all sections of society, particularly child poverty, is in our DNA. We did it before. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to do it again.

“We will be publishing our Employment Rights Bill this week to fundamentally transform work and pay. It will ban exploitative zero-hour contracts, outlaw fire and rehire and will make sure that the National Minimum Wage becomes a genuine living wage.

“It’s still sobering that two-thirds of children in poverty are in households where one or both adults are working full time, and that means that there’s a big problem with pay. We hope that our New Deal for Working People will start to resolve some of those issues.

“I think it’s also important to highlight our Universal Credit review, which will look at everything from the two-child cap to housing allowances.

“We’ve also launched our Child Poverty Task Force, chaired jointly by the Secretaries of State for Education and the Department of Work and Pensions. It looks at all the other big issues that are around in terms of poverty.

“Yes, it’s about the social security system, Universal Credit, but it’s also about housing, educational attainment, health inequalities, pay in the workplace, progression and skills. It’s about those underlying causes of poverty that are inherent in our society that we need to find a way to resolve once and for all.

“Having grown up on a council estate, I know that having that security of tenure of a house was the bedrock in which the family was built, and without that it’s difficult to see how you can get yourself out of poverty.

“Housing is devolved, but both governments are working very closely together to make sure that we can resolve the housing emergency that’s been declared across a lot of our local authorities. 

“We’ve made a good start over the last 95 days. There will be bumps in the road, because these are fundamental challenges, but the whole culture of the new government is to try and resolve these issues. 

“We want to make sure the system can work better, and joint working is really important in this area. There’s no reason why Social Security Scotland and the DWP can’t work jointly in terms of the delivery of social security, to make sure that we get the best out of both systems for the benefit of everyone who needs to access that system. 

“Regarding the low update of benefits by ethnic minorities, I think that’s a huge challenge for us. Not just finding those individuals and families, but actually being able to engage with them and get them what they deserve to be claiming. That’s a huge battle for us all to try to work together and resolve.

“We’ve got four big priorities as a new government and as a Scotland Office. Growth is the number one priority, but that also feeds into our green agenda, which is our second priority. Our third one is Brand Scotland to try and increase our exports, to improve our businesses and create more jobs. And the fourth one, which attached the first three, is the eradication of poverty.

“That’s something that myself and Ministerial colleague Kirsty McNeill are fundamentally committed to doing. We can only do that by all of us – devolved governments, the UK Government and organisations like JRF working together. We must find ways we can not only make the system better, but make sure that those who require access to the system, get access to that system and get the funds and support they deserve.

“There’s a huge amount of work to be done and this report gives us that very sobering starting point.”

JRF-poverty-in-scotland-2024-reportDownload

Social Security Scotland: £57 million paid to families to help with food shop

People urged to check and use Best Start Foods card 

Families getting a Scottish benefit to help them buy healthy foods are being urged to check their balance on their prepaid card.

Best Start Foods, a payment of up to £42.40 every four weeks, helps eligible pregnant women, parents, families and carers with children under the age of three to buy healthy foods from a range of supermarkets, small shops and online stores.

Since its launch in 2019, over £57 million has been paid to over 86,000 parents and carers.

The majority of people say it is clear how to use the card, it has helped them to buy milk or healthy food and have been able to use it without any difficulty, according to a recent survey.

People that have not yet activated their card or don’t use it regularly could be missing out on money that can help pay for healthy foods. Social Security Scotland continue to contact those getting Best Start Foods via text message to alert them to balances available to spend on their cards.

People can apply for the payment as soon as they know they are pregnant, during pregnancy and up to when their child turns three.

The removal of income limits earlier this year also means even more people can now get the payment and are being urged to check if they are eligible.

Speaking at a visit Edinburgh Community Food during Challenge Poverty Week, Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:   “We are determined to eradicate child poverty and reduce health inequalities in Scotland and Best Start Foods, part of the five family payments, is part of a package to support this.

“We want to make sure people know about, and get, all the financial help they are entitled to. This is particularly relevant during the continuing cost of living crisis.

“I’m urging anyone who has a Best Start Foods card to look it out, make sure it’s activated and check the balance for money to help pay for their food shop.

“If cards are lost, or people are unsure of how to use them, support is available to help them use their card. The card works the same as any chip and pin card and can be used in many supermarkets, small shops and online.

“The Scottish Government removed income limits earlier this year, so I would also urge anyone who has not yet applied for Best Start Foods to check if they are eligible.”

Brenda Black, Chief Executive Officer at Edinburgh Community Food, added:
“Working together with Social Security Scotland and community partners we help mothers and (guardians) check their eligibility and to access their money through the handy Best Start Foods Pre-Paid Card providing a dignified way to spend their payment on healthier foods to enjoy with their growing family.

“Edinburgh Community Food plays a key role in supporting & nourishing futures for expecting mothers and their children.

“We are determined to use every creative way possible to support their access to nourishing food during the first 2001 days, which are crucial for every child’s growth and development.”

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods statistics: Social Security Scotland – Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: high level statistics to 30 June 2024

Capital marks Challenge Poverty Week

The city council and partners from across the city are marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October 2024, Challenge Poverty Week is a national campaign highlighting the challenges people living in poverty are facing and how we can work together to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live.

The Edinburgh Tenants Federation held a free event at Norton Park Conference Centre on Monday, featuring stalls, support and guest speakers discussing Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

On Wednesday, End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of people with lived experience of poverty, held their second citizen-led conference at the Grassmarket Community Project, supported by the Council.

This year’s event focused on collective action to combat community exclusion, focusing on child poverty, health and wellbeing,

The Council will publish the results of the city’s latest annual poverty report tomorrow (Friday 11 October).

This report will provide the fourth annual overview on progress made by the Council and partners in response to the calls to action made by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to end poverty by 2030, and will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee later this month (22 October).

Throughout the week, a series of blogs will be shared by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission shining a light on council support and services.

Edinburgh Leisure is also highlighting the help and support it can offer people experiencing barriers to an active lifestyle, including the option of a Get Active Card which provides affordable access to venues for people in receipt of certain benefits.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “In a thriving Capital city like Edinburgh it is shocking that thousands of people are suffering from low incomes, high living costs and even homelessness.

“That’s why we’ve made it a commitment of this Council to do all that we can with our partners to end poverty. Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts and make sure people know where to turn to for support.

“We’ve made good progress delivering against the targets set by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission four years ago and we’re looking forward to publishing the results of our annual report later this week.

“The funding and the support we’ve put in place is making a real difference to people’s lives, but the cost of living has risen. We face a housing emergency, and we need to prioritise this work now, more than ever.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

More information about events taking place across Edinburgh can be found on Eventbrite. Information, advice and support for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages.

National mission to end child poverty: Accelerator Fund awardees announced

More families across Scotland will get access to the help they need, where and when they need it – as local projects receive a funding boost from the Scottish Government.

Grants of up to £80,000 have been awarded to 12 projects undertaking a range of work, including:

  • helping families to access health services
  • providing money and budgeting advice
  • supporting employees to work flexibly around their family life

The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund invests in innovative, local projects to tackle child poverty – a commitment in this year’s Programme for Government.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the announcement on a visit to CentreStage, a performing arts charity in Kilmarnock.

Later today (Tuesday 8 October) the First Minister will also meet people with experience of poverty at Bute House, before leading a Parliamentary debate as part of Challenge Poverty Week.

The First Minister said: “Organisations like CentreStage demonstrate how the government is working closely with communities, local government and the third sector to help families facing challenges right now.

“My national mission to end child poverty is underpinned by the importance of this type of collaboration.

“We want to see this community-focussed approach replicated across Scotland. That’s why our Fairer Future Partnerships are expanding to five new areas across Scotland – joining up local services, offering financial advice and supporting parents into work. 

“Engaging people with experience of poverty as we build these services is at the heart of the government’s approach – and we are building on the strong foundations we have laid to end poverty in Scotland.

“The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund will kick-start another 12 innovative projects across the country to give even more families the help and support they need.”

List of projects to receive grants from Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund:

Area Project 
West Lothian  Identifying and addressing unmet need among low-income families 
Fife Embedding income maximisation across children’s health services aligning with a preventative and proactive care programme 
East Lothian What Matters? Collecting, measuring and using data that is meaningful to families in East Lothian 
Aberdeen City Evaluation and design of lone parent employability support to inform and direct future provision 
East Renfrewshire Flexible for families employer scheme 
South Ayrshire  Exploring interconnection between child poverty and additional support needs: enhancing neurodiverse parenting support in South Ayrshire through preventative family wellbeing approaches 
Dumfries & Galloway  Accessible Financial Wellbeing Support for Priority Families Project 
Grampian Health Equity & Learning Project (HELP), identifying and addressing barriers for families accessing NHS services 
Scottish Borders  Money advice and budgeting support for families in the Scottish Borders 
Edinburgh  Challenging poverty related stigma 
Stirling  Early intervention family engagement 
Tayside Dundee Dads Rock 

Challenge Poverty Week is a Poverty Alliance initiative which has taken place every year since 2013. This year it will take place from 7–13 Oct, with organisations across Scotland coming together to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland. 

#CPW24

Helping people experiencing poverty to live active healthy lives

As the UK gets ready for Challenge Poverty Week (Monday 7th October to Sunday 13 October), Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities across the city, is working in local communities to support more people living in poverty and affected by inequalities to be active and well.

Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. Despite Edinburgh being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, Edinburgh faces some of the greatest levels of inequality. 

The Edinburgh Poverty Commission estimates that almost 82,000 people are living in poverty. And in terms of life expectancy, a person born in an affluent part of Edinburgh can expect to live 14 years longer, than somebody living in a poorer area.

Forty-three percent of adults living in the most deprived communities in Scotland do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared with twenty-seven percent of adults living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Macfarlane, Director of Wellbeing at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Being active is one of the best things we can do for our health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Yet many people living in poverty can face barriers to being active, such as cost, lack of confidence and knowledge of what support is available. 

“As part of Challenge Poverty Week, we’re aware there are many people experiencing poverty or health inequalities that don’t know about the help and support Edinburgh Leisure can give them.

“We’d like to raise awareness of our £10 Get Active card so that more adults experiencing poverty enjoy the life-changing benefits of being active with us.  If you know someone who is receiving benefits, they may be eligible for a £10 Get Active Card, which offers off-peak access to Edinburgh Leisure facilities.”

Edinburgh Leisure’s target is to attract 250 new Get Active Card holders across their venues in October. They currently sell around 600 passes each month.

People in receipt of the following benefits are eligible for a Get Active Card:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income support
  • Job seekers allowance
  • Guaranteed pension credit
  • Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

A Get Active Card offers off-peak access to all Edinburgh Leisure gyms and gym classes; swimming, saunas and steam rooms; and group fitness classes. No joining fees are payable, there is no monthly subscription, and people can pay when they can.

If eligible visit a local Edinburgh Leisure venue and speak to one of Edinburgh Leisure’s Welcome Hosts to sign up or top up your card whenever you want to be active.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/get-active-card

Cutting the cost of the school day

Education Secretary praises innovative approach

Pupils and staff at Braes High School in Falkirk have been highlighting their innovate approaches to help cut the cost of the school day for families, as part of Challenge Poverty Week.

Cost-saving initiatives include the creation of ‘Take What You Need’ trolleys with essential school items, toiletries and snacks.  S1 pupils also receive a Braes Backpack which contains a school starter kit.

The school has received more than £369,000 of Scottish Government Pupil Equity Funding (PEF) in recent years, supporting a range of work including these latest initiatives.

Scotland has the most generous universal free school meal offer of any nation in the UK – saving families an average of £400 per eligible child per year – while the School Clothing Grant has been increased so that those who are eligible receive at least £120 per child of primary school age and £150 per secondary pupil.

The 2023-24 Programme for Government set out commitments to further support reductions in the cost of the school day by funding the removal of core curriculum charges, further expanding free school meals and increasing the school clothing grant for the next academic year.

On a visit to the school, the Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “It was hugely encouraging to visit Braes High School during Challenge Poverty Week and to witness the innovative approaches pupils and staff have adopted to deal with the challenges that, sadly, too many of our young people and their families are facing.

“This work has been supported by the Scottish Government’s Pupil Equity Funding scheme – with more than £520 million this parliamentary term empowering headteachers to take creative and innovative approaches to tackle the poverty-related attainment gap.

“We are determined to do everything in our power to support families out of poverty, including investing in the game-changing Scottish Child Payment – part of a package of measures taken by this government which will help lift 90,000 children out of poverty in Scotland this year.

“We know that many families are still struggling, particularly as a result of the cost of living crisis. Tackling the cost of the school day is a key priority for the Scottish Government.”

Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager at Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland: “We have been delighted to work with Braes High School and their Cost of the School Day Pupil Group and see all of the meaningful ways young people have involved their school community and designed supports that help to make sure everyone can take part and feel included.

“Cost of the School Day at Braes is an inspiring example of what can happen when young people take the lead on equity in their own schools and a reminder of the impact that a poverty aware school culture and a clear focus on reducing the cost of the school day can have.”

Braes HS Head teacher Iain Livingstone said: “Our young people, staff, parents, carers and the wider community work well together to challenge poverty and support all learners. Pupil Equity Funding has helped us take forward a number of projects and support to help our young people get the most out of their education.

“We enjoyed being able to speak with the Cabinet Secretary, and seeing our young people discuss the  many developments and ideas they lead.”

Braes High School worked with the Child Poverty Action Group to develop these initiatives. They are part of the new Cost of the School Day Voice network of children and young people.

Schools in Falkirk Council have received more than £26 million from the Scottish Government between 2015-16 and 2022-23 to close the poverty related attainment gap.

Challenge Poverty Week: Supporting our most deprived communities to live active healthy lives

EDINBURGH LEISURE £10 GET ACTIVE PASS

As the UK gets ready for Challenge Poverty Week (Monday, 2nd October to Sunday, 8th October), Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sports and leisure facilities across the city, is working in local communities to support more people living in poverty and affected by inequalities to be active and well.

Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. Despite Edinburgh being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, Edinburgh faces some of the greatest levels of inequality.  The Edinburgh Poverty Commission estimates that almost 82,000 people are living in poverty. And in terms of life expectancy, a boy born in in the New Town, Edinburgh can expect to live 21 years longer, than a boy born in Niddrie.

Forty-four percent of adults living in the most deprived communities in Scotland do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity compared with twenty-eight percent of adults living in the least deprived areas.

Helen Macfarlane, Director of Wellbeing at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Being active is one of the best things we can do for our health, wellbeing, and quality of life. Yet many people living in poverty can face barriers to being active, such as cost, lack of confidence and knowledge of what support is available. 

“As part of Challenge Poverty Week, we’d love more adults experiencing poverty and inequalities to take out our £10 Get Active Pass and enjoy the life changing benefits of being active with Edinburgh Leisure. The card is not available to buy online but anyone eligible can pop into any Edinburgh Leisure venue and sign up. It really is making a huge difference to people’s lives.”

One participant explained the positive impact it is having on their life: “I don’t often leave the house but since I’ve taken out a £10 Get Active Pass, I’ve been going swimming regularly which makes a huge difference to my mental health.

“I couldn’t afford a membership, so the £10 Get Active pass has been a godsend. It’s helping me both mentally and physically and encouraged me to meet new people.”

The Edinburgh Leisure £10 Get Active Card is aimed at people on a very low income and offers off-peak access to the gym, swim, saunas and steam rooms and group fitness classes, up to 4pm, 7 days a week.  Fitness classes can be booked on the day of use.

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity on a mission to keep people active and well. They run over 50 sport, leisure and school venues across the city and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to be active and stay active.

Each year Edinburgh Leisure’s’ Active Communities team support more than 10,000 people who face the greatest barriers to being active, including those affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to improve their health and wellbeing. They deliver over 20 different programmes city wide, which aim to break down barriers to physical activity and help people to lead healthier, happier, and more active lives.

Each year, they raise over £800,000 from external funders to provide a range of targeted projects and activities which enable people on low incomes and those living with long term health conditions to be active to protect their health, wellbeing, and quality of live.

The funding is an investment into health and wellbeing, providing a significant return by reducing the need for people to access more expensive health and social care services.

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/join/concessions#getactivepass

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/active-communities

Scotland Demands Better!

The Scottish Government has been warned not to ‘abandon’ communities as Scotland’s largest trade union body, equality and anti-poverty organisations launch Scotland’s largest national campaign against the cost-of-living emergency.

Ahead of SNP Conference and as Challenge Poverty Week ends, The Scottish TUC, the Poverty Alliance and groups across the country launched the ‘Scotland Demands Better’ campaign. The campaign outlines the ‘People’s Plan for Action’ demanding nine actions from the Scottish Government to alleviate the crisis.

Demands include increased public sector pay, rent controls, wealth taxes and universal free school meals. The campaign further calls for increased social security payments, doubling the Scottish Child Payment and increasing Carers Allowance payments. The plan follows the STUC and Poverty Alliance joint summit on the cost-of-living crisis earlier this year.

Launching the campaign, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer and Poverty Alliance Director Peter Kelly have written to the First Minister calling for a joint roundtable meeting to help implement the plan.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer: “This campaign represents the voices of our communities. Government cannot abandon them in their hour of need and we’re seeking an urgent meeting with the First Minister to directly support workers impacted by this crisis.

“The People’s Plan for Action sets out exactly what we need to see from the Scottish Government. Whilst Westminster remains unwilling and uncaring to help ordinary workers, the Scottish Government must take a different path.

“Increasing public sector pay, accelerating rent controls and implementing wealth taxes gives Scotland’s poorest the lifeline they need to survive this emergency. Poverty and destitution are political choices. Scotland demands better than the devastation and hardship wilfully inflicted upon our most in need.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “We want to put justice and compassion back at the heart of public life in Scotland – so we can build support for practical action to tackle poverty.

“With this plan, we can start to rebuild and renew our social security, boost incomes for workers, invest in the public services we all rely on, and give people the urgent help they need with rocketing costs.

“This crisis is a moment for decision for all of us – and especially our politicians. We can create a better Scotland where poverty is a thing of the past.”

To tackle the cost of living for the people of Scotland, we demand the following –

1. A real pay rise for all public service workers

2. A social security system that loosens the grip of poverty

3. Warm homes, through municipal energy companies

4. Sustained action to tackle rent costs

5. Share the wealth, through income, wealth and business taxes

6. Universal free school meals

7. Cheap, publicly controlled public transport

8. More support for childcare

9. Enforcement of Fair Work