Scottish Parliament MSP Offices

Scottish Govt cuts will affect those on low incomes – but spotlight now on Westminster

Listen to our Policy & Parliamentary Officer Ashley McLean being interviewed on BBC Radio Scotland about the Emergency Budget Review statement on 3 Nov.  Reacting to today’s statement by the Deputy First Minister, Poverty Alliance Director Peter Kelly said: “The Scottish Government’s Emergency Budget Review highlights the challenges faced in public spending at this time. … Read more

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Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

This briefing was created for the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee Chamber debate on its report Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Low Income and the Debt Trap.  

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Our position on the cost of living crisis and warm places as an emergency response

Many civil society organisations in Scotland have discussed emergency responses to the cost of living crisis and explored common priorities to increasing hardship this winter.

UK Government recent interventions in energy costs and cost of living are not sufficient to protect people from poverty this winter, especially those already struggling to make ends meet.

While a compassionate response to an emergency situation may include dignified and attractive warm places hosted within communities these cannot meet our aspirations to protect and respect our human rights and to ensure that people are treated with dignity at all times.

It is important to ensure that we do not repeat past mistakes where community responses to income crises become hardwired into the state’s response to poverty.

The focus and responsibility of government should be ensuring people have enough money to keep their own homes warm. A cash first approach is the best way to do this, by investing in the benefits system.

Our focus should include longer term issues, climate justice and distribution of wealth and power in our society.

There remains a need for sustainable funding to organisations that support people through a perfect storm of rising costs, rocketing demand on services and people, all with reduced donations and funding.

 

Women s Experience of the Cost of Living Crisis - Research Briefing

’I don’t live. I survive.‘

This briefing shares the experiences of women in Scotland affected by the cost-of-living crisis. This joint project conducted by the Poverty Alliance and the Scottish Women’s Budget Group, is exploring women’s experiences over a three-month period from August to October 2022. Ahead of the Scottish Government’s Emergency Budget Review this interim briefing highlights emerging findings … Read more

Challenge Poverty Week

Tax u-turn is welcome, but now we must boost social security

Commenting on today’s announcement that the UK Government will not proceed with plans to abolish the 45p tax-rate, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “The UK Government’s budget was an attack on the values of justice and compassion that are at the heart of our society. Scrapping the biggest tax break for the … Read more

UK Government Red Despatch Boxes

Poverty Alliance says mini budget will do nothing for people who need help the most

Responding to the Chancellor’s mini budget today, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken office at a time when the country is being swept up in a rising tide of poverty. In communities across the UK, more and more people are being pushed into impossible decisions … Read more

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Real Living Wage increases to £10.90 in Scotland

REAL LIVING WAGE INCREASES TO £10.90 IN SCOTLAND AS THE COST OF LIVING RISES   A 10.1% increase in real Living Wage, the largest year-on-year rise.  Over 57,000 Living Wage workers at more than 2,800 Living Wage employers in Scotland are set for a pay boost. New rate means full-time Living Wage employees will earn … Read more

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Consultation response: Statutory guidance on school uniforms

Our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on statutory national guidance on school uniforms. The consultation closed in October 2022. Download the response here, or read it in the window below. School-Uniform

10 Downing Street

Help with bills welcomes – but people on low incomes will need more

Commenting on today’s announcement on energy bills by the Prime Minister, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “The first duty of government is to protect people from harm. We have been calling for action on energy bills for months, so today’s announcement will be welcomed by millions of people who have been sick … Read more

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Urgent action needed to help households weather the cost-of-living storm

by Bill Scott, Chair, Poverty and Inequality Commission As Poverty Alliance members well know the UK is currently facing a cost of living crisis that threatens the health and wellbeing of the population. The Poverty & Inequality Commission believes that this crisis needs an emergency response of the same scale and urgency as the COVID-19 … Read more

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