More help for women urgently needed
IN a just and compassionate society, no-one should be going hungry or cold. The cost-of-living crisis is having devastating impacts on people living on low incomes in Scotland.
Research published by The Poverty Alliance and the Scottish Women’s Budget Group last month found that women are going to extreme measures just to get by as costs of living soar. Women shared examples of disconnecting from energy and accumulating debt with many being forced to take on additional low-paid work.
Going into winter, many women are worried that they will not be able to afford their energy bills. Patricia, a woman interviewed during the research, is spending more than one-third of her monthly income topping up her pre-payment meter. She told us: “You used to laugh and joke before and say ‘Oh, you know, I’ll be eating or heating’. You know what I mean, we won’t be able to do either.” These mounting pressures are putting significant strain on women’s mental health.
A recent poll of 1,000 adults in Scotland by the Mental Health Foundation found that 40 per cent have experienced anxiety amid concerns over rising bills.
While the announcement in the Autumn Statement that benefits and the national minimum wage will rise in line with inflation from April is welcome, this will not provide urgent financial support needed by our communities as we go into winter. Ellen, who lives in a rural area of Scotland, shared her worry of the potentially devastating impacts of being going cold and hungry this winter: “I
Mounting pressures are putting significant strain on women’s mental health
think some folk will probably not be here this time next year.”
There are specific groups who are not be being protected by the social security system or cost-ofliving Government measures. People in low-paid work and older people are missing out on support through the social security system because they often earn just above thresholds. There has also been no announcement of financial support for asylum seekers and people with no recourse to public funds who live on just £40.85 a week.
Women in Scotland are more likely to have caring responsibilities, be in low-paid employment, and have less access to savings and wealth. To prevent poverty, destitution and insecurity for women and children, immediate action is needed to widen the eligibility of financial support for people in low-paid work alongside investment in a comprehensive programme to maximise benefits uptake.
The report makes 15 recommendations including: ensuring adequate incomes for all; investing in preventative public services; as well as support and advice services to help people manage debt; providing stigmafree support in local communities; and improving community amenities and services. As costs of living continue to rise, women are calling for caring and compassionate action, and it is the responsibility of all levels of Government to make sure that this happens.