A Call for Action to Combat Poverty
A new study reveals that a majority of people in Scotland support increasing financial assistance and debt relief for the nation’s poorest citizens. Commissioned by children’s charity Aberlour and conducted by market research agency nfpResearch, the survey highlights the growing concerns over poverty, which currently affects one in four young people in Scotland.
Support for Financial Assistance
According to the survey results, 56% of respondents are in favor of more robust action to alleviate poverty, with a significant portion of the population pushing for direct financial support to help those most in need.
- 56% of respondents also supported boosting the Scottish child payment from its current value of £27 to £40 per week.
- A staggering 83% of those surveyed backed the extension of free school meals to more families.
These figures reflect a strong public desire for targeted measures to ease the financial burden on the poorest households, particularly families with children.
The Call for Urgent Action
SallyAnn Kelly, Chief Executive of Aberlour, emphasized the escalating impact of poverty on children, families, and communities across Scotland. She pointed out that the current situation demands effective and urgent action to provide relief for those struggling to make ends meet.
Kelly stated, “In Scotland, increasing the child payment to £40 would bring huge benefits to some of our poorest families. Wider reforms will help in time but, right now, giving direct financial support to the poorest families will help most.”
Government’s Response
In response to these concerns, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary, acknowledged that many families continue to feel the strain of the cost-of-living crisis. Somerville highlighted that the Scottish government is already allocating approximately £3 billion annually toward policies that tackle poverty.
However, the call for further action, especially in terms of increasing direct financial aid, suggests that more needs to be done to address the immediate challenges faced by Scotland’s most vulnerable populations.
Looking Ahead: Budget Considerations
With the Scottish government set to unveil its draft Budget in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that these findings will influence discussions around how best to allocate resources to combat poverty. Public opinion, as revealed in the survey, seems clear—Scotland’s citizens are eager for stronger support systems to protect the poorest from the effects of the ongoing economic challenges.
