Targeted action to further tackle poverty and inequality in
Scotland will be the focus of discussion at a summit convened by
the First Minister later this week.
The anti-poverty summit will bring people together from a variety
of backgrounds – those with lived experience of poverty, the
third sector, academics, campaigners, local government, business,
and cross-party representatives of the Scottish Parliament.
Attendees will share expertise, experiences and ideas that can be
used in a collective effort to drive progress and reduce
inequality across Scotland.
The First Minister said:
“Tackling poverty and protecting people from harm is one of the
Scottish Government’s three key priorities.
“Working within our limited powers and fixed budget, the Scottish
Government has already taken a range of actions that are making a
real difference, with almost £3 billion allocated both last year
and this year to support policies which are helping to tackle
poverty and protect people as far as possible during the cost of
living crisis.
“Our five family payments, including the Scottish Child Payment,
could be worth more than £10,000 by the time an eligible child
turns six. This compares to less than £2,000 for eligible
families in England and Wales, with Scottish support providing
over £20,000 by the time an eligible child is 16 years old. There
is also much more to be done to reverse the impact of the UK
Government’s policies of austerity and lack of concrete action on
the cost of living crisis, which have contributed to rising
poverty across the UK.
“While the Government's actions and ideas to tackle poverty are
extremely important, I also want to hear fresh ideas about what
else we could be doing together. Nothing should be off the table,
and I am ready to lead an honest and frank discussion on
Wednesday.
“I firmly believe that all of us across society want
Scotland to be the best place to grow up and the best place to
live. I am determined to harness that shared ambition so we leave
no stone unturned in the drive to create a more equal and more
socially just Scotland.”
Background
The summit will take place in Edinburgh on Wednesday 3 May.
The First Minister set out his commitment to tackling poverty and
inequality in the document Equality, opportunity,
community: New leadership - A fresh start.
The names of guests who have accepted an invitation to attend
events hosted by Scottish Ministers are routinely published. This
information will be made available in due course
at: www.gov.scot/collections/ministerial-engagements-travel-and-gifts/.
