Challenge Poverty Week, from 5-11 October, is an opportunity for everyone across Scotland to raise their voices against poverty and show what needs to be done to tackle it.
During this week UNISON is joining hundreds of organisations from across Scotland, including faith groups, local authorities, businesses, trade unions and charities to raise our collective voice against poverty. We all want to live in a just and compassionate Scotland, but to achieve this action must be taken to loosen the grip of poverty on people’s lives.
Too many people are struggling to pay bills, put food on the table and take part in society. This is particularly true for women, disabled people and people from black and minority ethnic communities. Challenge Poverty Week, run by the Poverty Alliance, is designed to highlight the growing problem of poverty in Scotland and showcase the solutions we can all get behind to solve it.
In Scotland one in four children are living in poverty; 65 per cent of children living in poverty in Scotland are in households where someone works; 39% of children in lone parent households live in poverty and 30% of children with a disabled family member are in poverty. (Child Poverty Action Group)
As we plan our economic recovery, we must redesign our economy to reflect the values of justice and compassion we all share. By boosting people’s incomes and reducing the cost of living we can end poverty. Our governments must invest in affordable and accessible public services and ensure that social security benefits provide enough money for people to live a decent life. Employers must offer secure contracts and ensure every worker is paid a real Living Wage. We can all play our part by holding governments to account. #ChallengePoverty #TogetherWeCan
To find out more visit povertyalliance.org/campaigns/challengepovertyweek
