Blog: 2025 can be a year for justice and compassion

The end of the year is the time for reflection, and as we move into the holiday season, it should also be a time for hope. As we at the Poverty Alliance look back over the last year we see much to make us hopeful, despite the significant challenges that too many people still face.

Our member organisations across Scotland worked hard to protect those whose lives are impacted by poverty. Whether providing emergency food to those facing destitution, helping people access affordable housing, providing the advice and support needed to help boost incomes, or simply listening to people facing adversity, our members have helped 1000s of people over the last year.

It is this work that can give individuals and families hope in otherwise challenging times. It is work that highlights the compassion and care that exists in communities across Scotland.

It is work that is vital, but that too often is under significant strain. For both individuals facing poverty and those who are supporting them, that is a strain that could be lifted through more decisive action by government at UK, Scottish and local levels.

We now have a government in the UK that is commitment to addressing child poverty and that will bring forward a strategy to do so next year. That should give us hope. But they could take decisive action now by scrapping the two-child limit, lifting thousands out of poverty at a stroke.

In Scotland, the new First Minister has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing child poverty. That too is welcome. But what we also need is greater action to tackle those things that drive poverty – lack of affordable childcare, inadequate employment support, safe and secure housing. To support this, we need to a tax system that genuinely redistributes income to those who need it and economy that works for everyone.
2025 will be an important year, one where we will learn if we’re on track to reduce child poverty and where the Scottish and UK Government’s bring forward new plans to address the problem.

The Poverty Alliance will continue to work with our members to press for the changes we know will make the biggest difference. These are changes that will only come when we raise our voices together. This will be our challenge for 2025: to work together to give hope to those affected by poverty, to create the kind of society we need, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and to hold our leaders to account for the commitment they make.