Will the ‘new politics’ tackle poverty?

17.05.07

Tackling poverty must be the top priority for all of the political parties if the ‘new politics’ in Scotland is to have a real impact on the well-being of all Scottish citizens. As the new Scottish Parliament begins to take shape the Poverty Alliance and the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland are calling on the Parliament and new Executive to set realistic goals and targets to ensure that progress is made. With almost 1 in 5 people living in poverty in Scotland urgent action is needed.

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said:

“There will be no better measure of the success of the so-called ‘new politics’ than some real commitments to tackling poverty. Manifesto pledges must now be turned into practical action. On the day that the Parliament confirms the new Ministerial team for the Scottish Executive we need to be assured that action around poverty will be a priority.”

John Dickie, Head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland said:

“Commitment to ending child poverty must be top of the new Parliament’s priorities and must be reflected in the programme for the Scottish Executive. Recent years have shown that progress can be made, but progress has stalled and more needs to be done to achieve real change. We look forward to seeing the new Ministerial team and all parties working together to end child poverty in Scotland.”

For further information please contact:

John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland on 0141 552 3656 or 07795 340 618

Peter Kelly, Director, Poverty Alliance on 0141 353 0440 or 07766 606454