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Challenge Poverty week in Scotland
Mon Oct 3, 2022 - Sun Oct 9, 2022
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EDINBURGH, UK – 4th October 2018: Scottish Party leaders unite for a photocall ahead of a debate in Parliament highlight the problem of poverty in Scotland and the solutions to tackle it. The debate is part of Scotland’s biggest ever Challenge Poverty Week and comes as new figures published on Tuesday showed that one in four children are locked in poverty. Pictured left to right Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh, Scottish Green Party leader Patrick Harvie, Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Conservative Party leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Liberal Democrat Party leader Willie Rennie. (Photograph: MAVERICK PHOTO AGENCY)
Full press release below.
Poverty Alliance news release
For immediate use: Thursday 4th October
Photo to follow at 1.30pm
Party leaders unite to challenge poverty
Today at the Scottish Parliament leaders of all the political parties represented in Holyrood will join forces to highlight the problem of poverty in Scotland and showcase the solutions we can all get behind to solve it. Leaders will unite for a photocall ahead of a debate in Parliament on the solutions to tackling poverty.[1]
The debate is part of Scotland’s biggest ever Challenge Poverty Week. From upcycling classes and family fun days to workshops on innovative alternatives to food banks, more than 100 events are happening this week. Academics, leading NGOs, churches, community groups, schools and leaders of all the major political parties are among those to show their support for the campaign.
NHS Health Scotland, Shelter, NSPCC Scotland, Close the Gap, Refugee Survival Trust, The Church of Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland are among those joining forces to highlight the grip poverty has on people’s lives and the policies we need to solve the problem.
It comes as new figures published on Tuesday showed that one in four children are locked in poverty and that the majority of these children are in families where someone is disabled or parents are finding it difficult to juggle work and childcare. [2]
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said:
“In our society we believe in doing the right thing. And yet, we’re letting increasing numbers of people get swept up in the rising tide of poverty.
“All across Scotland people from all walks of life are coming together to highlight the problem and show what they are doing to help overcome the barriers that lock so many people in poverty.
“Poverty restricts people’s ability to take part in society, but by boosting people’s incomes and reducing the cost of living we can redesign our economy to better reflect the values of compassion and justice we all share.”
Mum and translator Sian Kingsbury from Glasgow shared her experience of living on a low income: [3]
“My husband and I both work but the money we make isn’t enough to cover the family’s basic needs. Our eight year old daughter Lydia is autistic and needs a lot of additional care. It’s really tough finding work that accommodates that. I can’t just drop Lydia off at a sports club like a lot of other parents, I need to be there because she needs help staying safe.
“Over the summer we were so hard up that when bus fares went up we couldn’t afford public transport anymore so I could only get to places Lydia and I could walk to. It was heartbreaking when Lydia would ask for something simple like a magazine that I know would give her a lot of joy, in a world that can be quite harsh for her, but I’d have to say no. Counting the pennies like that and fretting about every bill is very stressful and it takes a toll on your mental health.
“What little extra we have goes on ensuring Lydia has the best life she can. On our wedding anniversary this year we felt we couldn’t treat ourselves to a coffee out.
“After a long and gruelling process, Lydia recently qualified for disability living allowance and I hope to get support as her carer. It means we’ll be able to do more as a family and I can take Lydia to activities that are all set up to support her, like specialist horse-riding and cycling classes. When she does things like interacting with animals it improves her speech and confidence and it’s so good to see her happy and relaxed. Money will still be very tight but the benefits we receive really do provide a vital safety net for mums like me who are working so hard to do the best by our children.”
ENDS
For media enquiries:
Frances Rayner, Poverty Alliance Communications Officer
07776527839 or 0141 353 0440
frances.rayner@povertyalliance.org
Notes to Editors
1. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s annual Poverty in Scotland report can be found here https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/poverty-scotland-2018
2. Photos of Sian and Lydia are available on request