Prioritising Those Most in Need
Tax, targeted support and tough budget choices will all need to be considered as part of bold measures to tackle poverty, First Minister Humza Yousaf said today after meeting poverty campaigners.
The anti-poverty summit, convened by the First Minister, saw political leaders from across the Scottish Parliament meet with people who have direct experience of poverty, campaigners, and third sector organisations.
It offered a vital opportunity for the Scottish Government to listen to and work with these groups, to help inform Scotland’s drive to tackle poverty and inequality.
The summit was attended by around 90 delegates. The First Minister has previously set out his commitment to tackling poverty and inequality.
The First Minister’s convening of this summit was a a very welcome initiative, and should be indicative of the SNP government’s renewed commitment to tackling poverty.
GRAEME
While Holyrood lacks key powers that would help ease the cost-of-living crisis, and Westminster fails to make good use of them, this Scottish Government will do all it can to support people.
In Angus and across Scotland, too many households are struggling to make ends meet.
It is vital that we continue to discuss and advance approaches at the devolved level that can achieve real change here in Scotland.
I called the summit to listen to the views of a wide range of partners, particularly those at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis and with direct experience of poverty, about what they believe needs to be done.
FIRST MINISTER HUMZA YOUSAF
Everything I heard confirmed that poverty and the cost of living crisis is the biggest challenge facing this country – one that has been exacerbated by some of the UK Government’s actions and inactions.
We have already acted to tackle the pressure on those most in need – for example, our game-changing £25 per week per child Scottish Child Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement, and Winter Heating Payment.
But we must do more. We must be bold in considering future tax decisions. Tough choices will need to be made about existing budgets, and we need to consider whether targeting help is the way forward when money is so tight.
It’s not enough to wish poverty away. We have to be hard-headed and realistic about what can be done – and then we have to focus on making it happen. That means the debate must now be about tax, targeting and tough choices. We are listening and will not shy away from the decisions needed to reduce poverty.
The initiative from the Scottish Government is a good one and one which Local Government can get fully behind. Tackling poverty is a core objective for Local Government working in partnership with the Scottish Government, the third sector and public and private sector partners.
COSLA PRESIDENT, COUNCILLOR SHONA MORRISON
The cost- of-living crisis we are living through at present is being tackled head-on by Councils the length and breadth of Scotland and partnership working is vital to achieving positive outcomes for individuals, families and our communities across Scotland.
Background
The names of guests who have accepted an invitation to attend events hosted by Scottish Ministers are routinely published. This information will be made available as soon as practicable.
