Ready to tackle child poverty

One in five youngsters face this issue

A new strategy that aims to tackle local poverty has been launched.

The Better Off: Anti Poverty Strategy 2018/ 19 to 2022/ 23, was launched on Tuesday morning by West Lothian Council and it’s community planning partners at Armadale Partnership Centre.

At the launch Councillor Kirsteen Sullivan, depute leader of the council and chair of the community planning partnership board said: “Tackling poverty, in particular child poverty, is a main priority for West Lothian Council. Working with our partners, we will continually seek to reduce poverty and improve the lives of those affected by poverty.

“We’ve put in place a number of actions that are designed to make an impact and reduce levels of poverty.”

Steps taken already include an increase in the school clothing grant and ongoing funding of the holiday lunch and activity programme.

Cllr Sullivan added: “Our staff have spoken to those who have experienced poverty and the actions we will take forward are based on what they told us would help them most.”

The focus of the new strategy will be on households which are working but struggling on low incomes as well as those out work.

Elaine Nisbett, the council’s Anti-Poverty and Welfare Advice manager said: “West Lothian is, generally below average in terms of the national landscape. Despite this poverty is still a significant issue for many households and communities.

“Almost one in five children are living in poverty, with many living in a family where a parent is already working. Families have told us that reducing day to day living costs is important, and that is reflected within our new strategy.”