Poverty in the spotlight
Greens host event
An event to highlight the blight of child pover t y was he l d i n East Kilbride.
With around one i n f i ve c h i l d r e n i n E a s t Ki l b r i d e living in poverty, the South Lanarkshire branch of t he Scottish Greens hosted a free event to explore the issue and what else can be done.
Around 40 people joined top speakers Darren McGarvey, author of Poverty Sa f a r i , a nd l oc a l re s i dent Twimukye Mushaka of the Poverty Alliance’s Get Heard project, to discuss the impact of long-term adversity, such a s c hi l d pover t y , on k i ds’ development.
Children f acing poverty over a long period of time are more likely to suffer reduced e d u c a t i o n a l a t t a i n me n t , drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and criminal behaviour later in life.
The event was well attended by local o r g a n i s a t i o n s – ma n y o f whom help people with the i mmediate problems t hey face by making sure there is food on the table, clothing available and housing.
East Kilbride Greens campaigner Kirst en Robb said: “We are really grateful to the speakers and the audience who told us how much t he y g o t o u t o f t he event.
“The Scottish Government has developed a child poverty delivery plan which includes a commitment to deliver on a Green manifesto pledge t o b o o s t t h e i n c o me s o f pregnant women and families at risk of poverty.
“Green MSPs also s ucces s f ul l y ga i ned more f unding f or l ocal ser vices, which wil l hel p f und new initiatives like action to address holiday hunger.
“Proper, long-term funding o f c o u n c i l a n d v o l u nt a r y sector ser vices are vit al t o build trust in communities and address child poverty.
“At a l ocal and nati onal l e v e l , we wil l c ont i nue t o br i ng pe o pl e t o g e t her o n this issue and push for more action to help address child poverty.”