We can all help tackle poverty
This week is Challenge Poverty Week and all across the country activities and events are taking place to mark the week and raise awareness. This includes a conference at Stirling University hosted by one of the country’s leading children’s charity, NSPCC Scotland, and the Centre for Child Wellbeing and Protection.
The statistics do not make pleasant reading. Estimates suggest that up to a quarter of children in Scotland are living in poverty and, if no action is taken, that this could increase to one in three by 2030.
Last month research released by Citizens Advice Scotland found that one in three Scots have gone hungry due to a lack of money - 33 per cent of people went without food at least once in the past year, 28 per cent had experienced this between one and six times with a further five per cent going hungry on even more occasions.
Brexit brings the real threat of rising food prices, along with a shortage of the range of products we consume now. The fact that the UK Government have just introduced a new post of Minister for Food Supplies has raised many eyebrows.
With the real prospect of a no-deal Brexit, it is no surprise that 71 per cent of those surveyed said that they had concerns about the impact of the UK leaving the EU; 65 per cent of this group highlighted the cost of food and other essentials as part of their worries.
So this week is a chance for the country to speak out against poverty and act to tackle it. The aims of the week are to highlight the reality of poverty and challenge the stereotypes that exist, demonstrate what is being done across the country to address it and increase public support for more action to solve it.
That is why this summer I wrote to all local authorities in the region to call for them to tackle holiday hunger amongst school children. During the school year, pupils from low income families are entitled to free school meals, and sometimes a breakfast club. These meals are important in supporting the child’s nutrition and school holidays can present challenges for families on low budgets.
Another way to tackle poverty is to address low pay and poor working conditions. That is why I have been campaigning with Unite the Union for their Fair Hospitality Campaign and I have engaged with businesses and hotels to ensure they are treating workers with the respect and conditions they deserve.
The charter has nine key measures that it is asking those within the hospitality sector to sign up to. These include paying the‘real’living wage, equal pay for young workers and limiting zero hours contracts.
In-work poverty is a reality of Scotland today. Secure and fair working conditions can go some length towards challenging poverty and that is why it is vital that we ensure a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.
However, the reasons and the solutions can be complex and challenging. It is a challenge that all politicians must commit to addressing. During Challenge Poverty Week I am hosting a round table with charities and campaigners in the region to understand the underlying issues and discuss the possible solutions.
There are many ways you can support the week. You can make a donation to your local foodbank, support a local charity, contact your local councillors, MPs and MSPs and call for action. It is wrong that so many people in Scotland are locked into poverty. Together, during Challenge Poverty Week, we must pledge to do just that, and challenge poverty. One in three Scots have gone hungry due to a lack of