Perth and Kinross Council approves Tackling Poverty Strategy

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Perth and Kinross Council has unanimously agreed to endorse a social contract committing Perth and Kinross Council to work alongside the Anti-Poverty Task Force to tackle poverty.

The decision was taken at a meeting of all 40 councillors on Wednesday, October 30.

Elected members were told that despite being regarded as a relatively well-off area, Perth and Kinross has around 30,000 people living in poverty including 5750 children.

The Anti-Poverty Task Force was set up in 2022 in response to the cost of living crisis and to address the levels of poverty across Perth and Kinross. It includes members from Perth and Kinross Council, NHS Tayside, Perth City Leadership Forum, Perth Citizens Advice Bureau, Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS), Giraffe, Growbiz and Letham4all. It commissioned the development of a Tackling Poverty Strategy.

Councillors were asked to approve the strategy prior to it going before the Anti-Poverty Task Force on November 14 for approval.

The social contract states:

• No one should be in deep poverty
• Those unable to work should not be in poverty
• People should try to increase their earnings
• Low earners should not be in poverty
• Anti-Poverty Task Force members should invest in partnership
  co-ordination.

At Wednesday's meeting councillors also noted the sixth Annual Child Poverty Action report. The report estimated 5750 Perth and Kinross children (21.7 per cent) are living in relative poverty - a slight reduction from 5914 (21.9 per cent) the previous year.

Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing said: "Many people view Perth and Kinross as an affluent area but the truth is poverty is a real and growing problem for many of our residents.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis have both contributed to a situation that requires dedicated and co-ordinated action to solve.

"For those living in poverty every day is a struggle and things that are an inconvenience to many of us – an unexpected bill or a spell of cold weather – can lead to a crisis for those on or close to the breadline. It is vitally important we support those people who find themselves in poverty.

"Those living in rural areas, as many do in Perth and Kinross, also face additional challenges regarding employment, housing, transport and more."

The SNP leader added: "The actions we are taking are showing results – there are now around 200 fewer children living in poverty now than there were last year. But that still leaves nearly 6,000 in poverty."

As part of the strategy Perth and Kinross Council has agreed to renew its commitment to collaborate with partners, the third sector, and local communities to secure extra support for those in deep poverty.

It will also aim to help job seekers, residents wanting to work more hours and workers on low incomes to achieve a better standard of living.

Joint chair of the Anti-Poverty Taskforce Shaheena Din said: "Change happens when we come together.

"By working as one, we can make a real difference in lifting people out of poverty, because no one person or organisation can tackle this challenge alone."

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