The annual drive to highlight the ‘injustice of poverty in wealthy Scotland’ runs from Monday 7 to Sun 13 October.

Today, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation launches its Poverty in Scotland 2024 report, showing that the number of people living in very deep poverty has risen to 40% of all of those in poverty, up from 26% in the mid-1990s.

But the week also highlights proposed solutions, and yesterday Scotland’s faith leaders united around a call to deliver a Minimum Income Guarantee with the potential to draw a line under poverty once and for all.

Representatives of Christian, Muslim, and Sikh congregations say the measure is needed to allow everyone to live a ‘decent, dignified, and healthy’ life.

The Guarantee is just one of a range of policies that campaigners will be raising with the Scottish and UK governments during the week, including scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap, boosting the value of Universal Credit and the Scottish Child Payment, investing more in social housing, extending free public transport schemes, and delivering universal free school breakfast and lunch provision to all pupils in Scotland.

Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “People in Scotland believe in justice and compassion. They don’t want to live in a country where more and more of their fellow citizens are being pushed towards deep poverty.

“During Challenge Poverty Week, events are taking place across Scotland which will shine a light on poverty and the importance of building just and compassionate solutions to this enduring.

“Hundreds of organisations are coming together to call for a wellbeing economy with good work that pays people a real Living Wage.

“They want strong public systems that we can all rely on – like health, education, transport, and social security – so that everyone has a solid foundation to build a life free from the threat of poverty, debt, and destitution.

“And they want political leaders to take responsibility for investing in a better society, with better taxes creating better budgets.”

As Challenge Poverty Week gets underway, the head of Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has described poverty as “a scar on Scotland” that needs to be eliminated.

CAS chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “I welcome Challenge Poverty Week because it gives us all a moment to stop and really think about poverty and what it means.

“Poverty is a scar on Scotland, it destroys lives, families and communities, and it needs to be eliminated if we are to be the fair, just Scotland we all want to be.

“I sometimes think we use the word poverty so often that we become de-sensitised to what it means. Poverty means hunger. It means freezing cold. It means misery, stress and depression. It means shame, and fear. It means all of these things, on a permanent loop.

“It also drains away joy and hope. And worst of all it hurts children, teaching them that life is about disappointment. It restricts options and opportunities across generations.

“Challenge Poverty Week makes us all focus on these things, and think about what we can do to help the people affected. Each day this week CAS will be highlighting particular aspects of poverty and how to tackle them. We’ll also be calling for concerted action to not just challenge poverty but eliminate it.

“And of course this week is also an opportunity to remind people that the Citizens Advice network is always ready to help anyone who needs support. We are one of Scotland’s leading charities battling poverty, person by person, family by family. We can help people with debt, bills, benefits or any money-related issues, and our support is always free, impartial and confidential. Your local CAB won’t judge you, we just want to help you.”

The politics of poverty

With John Swinney announcing that eradicating child poverty is his “first and foremost” priority, describing it as “the moral compass of his government”, Scottish Labour has said the Scottish Government’s rhetoric on poverty hasn’t been matched by its actions.

The party has highlighted what it calls a “series of damaging cuts” this year including:

• Scrapped plans to introduce free school meals for P6s and P7s
• Allowed the poverty-related attainment gap in exam results to widen to its highest point on record
• Cut the affordable housing budget by almost £200 million
• Delayed plans to provide digital devices to young people to tackle digital exclusion
• Cut the employability budget by £21m, scrapped its Fair Workplaces Fund and its Parent Transition Fund
• Cut the Scottish Welfare Fund by £5m in real terms
• Hiked ScotRail fares by 8.7 per cent and re-introduced expensive peak time fares.

Scottish Labour social justice spokesperson Paul O’Kane said: “The SNP says eradicating child poverty is its priority, but its record tells another story.

“The SNP’s warm words won’t cut it when children are suffering as a result of its raids on the affordable housing budget, its broken its promises on free school meals, and its cuts vital support schemes designed to help families.

“Behind the SNP spin and dodgy data is a record of broken promises.

“Labour is already at work to tackle poverty at its root by dealing with the scourge of low pay and insecure work.

“The SNP must use its many devolved powers to lift Scots out of poverty and drive down the cost of things like housing and transport.”

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will speak at a joint Poverty Alliance and Joseph Rowntree Foundation launch event for the week, where she will point to the breadth of activity and commitment across all Scottish Government portfolios to eradicate child poverty.

Speaking ahead of the event, Ms Somerville said: “Ending child poverty is the top priority of this Government and we are determined to do all we can to deliver action at the pace and scale required to meet our targets.

“We have allocated £3 billion a year since 2022-23 to policies which tackle poverty and the ongoing cost of living crisis. This includes providing free bus travel for around two million people, free school meals for all children in primaries one to five, and social security benefits and payments which are only available in Scotland.

“Modelling published in February estimated Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year, with the Scottish Child Payment alone keeping 60,000 children out of poverty.

“The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK government however this must be matched with action in the budget this month. That includes immediately abolishing the two-child limit, and following this government’s lead by matching the Scottish Child Payment.”

Challenge Poverty events

As Challenge Poverty Weeks gets underway, Midlothian Council has relaunched four warm and well hubs across the county to provide support with the cost-of-living crisis.

The four hubs are based in Danderhall, Newbattle, Loanhead and Lasswade libraries, as part of the #MidlothianCares initiative which is now in its third year.

Each hub offers warm spaces, free hot drinks plus soup and bread during normal library opening hours.

Local residents just need to turn up to stay warm and ask a member of the library staff for soup, bread and a hot drink. If residents prefer not to ask, then they just need to say ‘Alex Sent Me’ to a member of staff instead.

Library staff will also be on hand to provide advice and access to cost of living support information. Residents can also access free wi-fi, as well as books and games too. A coat collection will also be in operation at Dalkeith and Loanhead libraries.

As part of Challenge Poverty Week, Changeworks will be offering a drop-in event at Newbattle Library where residents can receive free and impartial advice and support with energy saving and efficiency. The event takes place on Friday 11 October, 11.00am – 3.00pm.

The council also continues to work with its public sector partners to host regular drop-in services to support those looking for careers guidance.

Skills Development Scotland continue to host a drop-in service at Penicuik Library every Monday (10am-5pm) and Loanhead Library (every first and third Tuesday of the month, 10am-5pm).

Council Leader, Councillor Kelly Parry said: “The four Warm and Well Hubs are here to help residents through this challenging winter. Staff are on hand to not only provide a welcoming space but a supportive local community too. No one should feel they have to struggle alone at home, so we’re encouraging residents to come in from the cold and enjoy the warm atmosphere at our libraries. Whether you need free hot drinks and soup, or just friendly chat, you can find both at our hubs. Please drop-in, you’re assured of a warm welcome.”

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) is supporting this year’s Challenge Poverty Week by highlighting the wide range of support, information and advice available across the region to support those experiencing financial hardship.

The council is also appealing to family members, friends and neighbours to encourage individuals and families who are experiencing poverty to check their eligibility and find out what financial support they could be entitled to.

Whether through low income, unemployment, ill health, an unexpected change in circumstances or for some other factor out with their control, whatever the reason, it is important for individuals and families who are experiencing poverty, to know that help is available from a wide range of organisations.

SBC’s website provides a range of detailed information about what grants, benefits and support people may be entitled to and how to apply.

Councillor Robin Tatler, SBC’s executive member for Public Safety & Resilience, said: “I would urge anyone experiencing financial hardship to have a look at the support that is available to them through the Scottish Borders Council website and make sure they get in touch to see how the Council and our many partner organisations may be able to help.

“It is really important that people take that first step to find out what support they may be eligible for.”

Perth & Kinross Council is supporting Challenge Poverty Week with a range of events taking place throughout the week, in partnership with the Anti-Poverty Taskforce and The Poverty Alliance. 

Highlights will include a Poverty Community Roadshow taking place in the Civic Hall at 2 High Street in Perth on 10 October from 11am to 3pm.

This will feature organisations and services that provide support to those affected by financial insecurity.

Attendees will include Home Energy Scotland, HEAT Blairgowrie & Rattray, Perth Citizen Advice Bureau, SSE, Aberlour Children’s Charity, P&K Foodbank, Welfare Rights, Carers Centre, Big Hoose Project, and much more.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Councillor Grant Laing said: “Poverty is one of the biggest challenges we face as a local authority.

“It is unacceptable that we have 6,000 children living in poverty in Perth and Kinross and we are committed to doing all we can to support those who need it the most.

“I would urge everyone who may be struggling to come along to the Civic Hall on 10 October and see what support may be available.

“Last year our Welfare Rights Team helped our residents claim £8.5 million in benefits which they were unaware they were entitled to – money that can make a real difference to people’s lives.”

Perth and Kinross Council has undertaken a host of actions over the past year to tackle poverty in addition to helping people with their benefit claims.

These include supporting the creation of jobs for young people in rural environments and processing applications from more than 2,500 people to our Financial Insecurity Fund.

The council has also committed £200,000 to supporting the provision of Warm Spaces this winter.

Throughout the week, North Lanarkshire Council will be sharing information and advice about the support available to help families struggling with income or money worries. 

Online information is being offered to help support people across the area who are living with or facing poverty. Thousands of households are suffering from low incomes and high living costs. The information will provide practical steps people can take to help boost their income and improve their lives.

A series of free events have also been organised in local communities which will be hosted by the council, its partners and voluntary organisations. Challenge Poverty Week is Scotland’s annual chance to highlight the injustice of poverty, and to celebrate collective action based on justice and compassion. It provides an opportunity for people to raise their voice against poverty and unite with others in calling for a just and equal Scotland.

The council’s Tackling Poverty Strategy aims to help residents tackle the drivers of poverty by offering guidance on health and wellbeing, employment, income maximisation and support for families and parents.

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that North Lanarkshire Council is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week. Poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

A full programme of events can be found on The Poverty Alliance website.