City Deal cash must ‘help tackle poverty’
Political Correspondent THE City Deal that saw Glasgow and surrounding areas get £1billion from Governments must be used to tackle inequality and poverty, campaigners are arguing today.
The deal signed by the UK Government and the Scottish Government with Glasgow City Council and seven others in the west of Scotland provides cash for a range of projects over 20 years.
It is the subject of the conference hosted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in Glasgow. Council leader Susan Aitken will speak at the conference in the Lighthouse, as will Angela Constance, Scottish Government secretary for Communities Social security and inequalities.
The JRF wants to ensure the cash contributes to efforts to tackle poverty.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of JRF, said: “Scotland has enjoyed a strong economic record, but too many people have not shared in its success.
“More than a million people live in poverty, which is a cost and waste our economy and society cannot afford.
“We need the Scottish government, city leaders and Westminster to work together to pursue this goal, starting with progress on Scotland’s City Deals to tackle poverty.
“Scotland needs inclusive growth now to create a stronger and fairer economy. We need growth, but everyone needs to the benefit from it.”
JRF notes that there has been many attempts over the years to reduce inequality and address social and economic problems in the poorest neighbourhoods but still they persist.
In its report, Inclusive Growth and City Deals, it is stated: “Within cities and towns, despite a wide range of interventions introduced from the late 1970s to close the gaps, substantial disparities between neighbourhoods can be observed.”
It notes seven of the 10 most deprived areas in Scotland are in Glasgow.
The conference will also hear from academics and health experts on how the projects can make a difference if channelled effectively.
Dr Andrew Fraser, director of Public Health Science at NHS Health Scotland, said action on inequality benefits the whole country.
He said: “Taking action on inequalities is not just the right thing to do – it’s the economically sensible thing to do. Improved health for everyone means not just a fairer Scotland, but also a more productive, prosperous Scotland.”