Progress to reduce poverty?

The Poverty and Inequality Commission has published a report that reviews progress on the fifteen recommendations made in “Shifting the Curve”, the first report by Naomi Eisenstadt in her role as the First Minister’s Independent Advisor on Poverty and Inequality.

The report finds considerable activity over the past three years in response to the recommendations. The Commission particularly welcome progress on the introduction of the Fairer Scotland duty, actions around building new homes and fuel poverty.

However, the Commission notes a failure to ‘be bold’ on local tax reform. The report states that the Scottish Government needs to consider how changes to local tax could help right the wrong of poverty and inequality.  They also feel there is be more ambition needed on low pay, childcare for primary children, social security and youth employment.

You can read the Commission’s report here: https://povertyinequality.scot/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Shifting-the-curve-monitoring-progress-report.pdf

 

 

 

Image credit: Thomas’s pics, Flickr