Fiona McHardy Research and Information Manager
The Poverty Alliance Poverty Alliance is the anti-poverty network in Scotland, set up in 1992, informally since mid 1980s Around 200 members, community & voluntary orgs, trade unions, individuals (inc. people with experience of poverty) Core funded by Scottish Government since 1999.
What we do Key current activities include: o Research on child maintenance with Fife Gingerbread o Research on a social investment model as part of European wide project o A range of activities around the living wage, including coordinating LW Campaign & Accreditation Initiative o Research into the impact of welfare reform in Glasgow o Campaign on negative attitudes towards people in poverty through our Stick Your Labels Campaign , and on welfare reform issues through SCOWR
Who Are the Poverty Alliance Four main thematic areas: attitudes, access to services, participation and incomes. Follow us Facebook, Twitter @povertyalliance @fionamchardy
What I will cover today • Key trends in poverty . • Campaigns : Scottish Living Wage and Stick Your Labels • Challenge Poverty Week 2016 • Looking forward : New Social Security Powers and Brexit
An overview of poverty in Scotland • In 2014- 2015 , 940’000 people (18%) were living in poverty in Scotland , the same as 2013-2014. • Of the 940’000 , 220’000 were children and 600’000 were adults of working age and 120’000 were pensioners. (AHC) • Trends have shown that more people are in employment and in poverty , 2014 /2015 analysis tells us people tended to be found in part time work. • 2014/2105 more than half of working age adult in poverty (58%) lived in families were someone was in work. • Source : Scottish Government 2016
Poverty Trends ctnd • Men in Scotland have a lower life expectancy than men in England at all levels of deprivation, but the difference is greatest between the most deprived areas. Over the last ten years, the number of • people in poverty in the social rented sector has come down sharply whereas the number in the private rented sector has risen sharply.
Poverty Trends ctnd • For example, disabled people are more likely to be low paid than non-disabled people with the same level of qualifications. • Low pay: 414,000 paid less than the living wage, 19% compared to UK average 22% • Around 64% of low paid workers in Scotland are women
Key Poverty Issues 349,000 homes in Scotland are affected by dampness or condensation. 647,000 households are in fuel poverty in Scotland. 65,000 (3%) of homes are overcrowded in Scotland
Campaigning to Change Attitudes The Stick Your Labels Campaign was established in 2010 Aim was to raise awareness regarding the impact of stigma on people living on low incomes Party leaders signed up to a series of ‘stigma statements’, myth busting materials were produced, and a short film was launched two years ago Re-launched in May 2016
Campaigning to Change Attitudes Poverty is not inevitable: it is a problem of political choices, it is neither natural nor acceptable. We all have a role to play in addressing poverty: We will set out our contribution to tackling poverty in Scotland. Attitudes matter : How we talk about poverty and how we portray it can stigmatise and harm people: We will never use language that may stigmatise people experiencing poverty . Actions change attitudes : To change beliefs about poverty requires action across our whole society: We will develop actions that help address negative attitudes towards people experiencing poverty .
Scottish Living Wage • The Living Wage is currently £8.25 per hour • Calculated by the Centre for Research & social policy at Loughborough University • Looks at what is needed to guarantee a minimum standard of living • Work done with public focus groups to achieve consensus • SLWC formed in 2007 out of a coalition of trade unions, faith groups and third sector organisations
The Living Wage in Scotland today • Scottish Living Wage Accreditation Initiative formed in 2014 • There are currently over 568 accredited Living Wage Employers in Scotland • Cross-party support • Highest proportion of Living Wage earners in the UK • Some issues with new ‘National Living Wage’ rolled out in April 2016 .
Challenge Poverty Week • • open days, walks, rallies, 16 th to 22 nd of October sleep outs, film nights and • Based around the UN concerts. day for the eradication of • advice and training sessions, poverty- October 2017 exhibitions and information What can I do stalls. • Lectures, debates, • meal services, fund-raisers workshops and and religious services. conferences. competitions, award • letters to newspapers, presentations and school petitions, surveys and projects publications.
Going Forward : Social Security Consultation currently out on devolved powers and the Bill will be introduced next year on this.
Devolved Benefits • • Funeral Payments Ill Health and Disability Benefits which means - Disability Living • Cold Weather Payments and Winter Allowance (DLA), Personal Fuel Payments Independence Payment (PIP), • Discretionary Housing Payments Attendance Allowance (AA), Severe • Some powers in relation to Universal Disablement Allowance (SDA) and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Credit (i.e.to split payments between (IIDB) household members) • Carer’s Allowance • Sure Start Maternity Grants (which SG propose should be replaced by the Best Start Grant )
Brexit • Employment • Rights • Regional Development Participation • • Funding • Migration
Contacts Fiona McHardy, Research and Information Manager , fiona.mchardy@povertyalliance.org www.povertyalliance.org
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