UK Government Red Despatch Boxes

Poverty Alliance says mini budget will do nothing for people who need help the most

Responding to the Chancellor’s mini budget today, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken office at a time when the country is being swept up in a rising tide of poverty. In communities across the UK, more and more people are being pushed into impossible decisions … Read more

Living Wage Scotland logo

Real Living Wage increases to £10.90 in Scotland

REAL LIVING WAGE INCREASES TO £10.90 IN SCOTLAND AS THE COST OF LIVING RISES   A 10.1% increase in real Living Wage, the largest year-on-year rise.  Over 57,000 Living Wage workers at more than 2,800 Living Wage employers in Scotland are set for a pay boost. New rate means full-time Living Wage employees will earn … Read more

A stockshot of school uniforms

Consultation response: Statutory guidance on school uniforms

Our response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on statutory national guidance on school uniforms. The consultation closed in October 2022. Download the response here, or read it in the window below. School-Uniform

10 Downing Street

Help with bills welcomes – but people on low incomes will need more

Commenting on today’s announcement on energy bills by the Prime Minister, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “The first duty of government is to protect people from harm. We have been calling for action on energy bills for months, so today’s announcement will be welcomed by millions of people who have been sick … Read more

Poverty and Inequality Commission Logo

Urgent action needed to help households weather the cost-of-living storm

by Bill Scott, Chair, Poverty and Inequality Commission As Poverty Alliance members well know the UK is currently facing a cost of living crisis that threatens the health and wellbeing of the population. The Poverty & Inequality Commission believes that this crisis needs an emergency response of the same scale and urgency as the COVID-19 … Read more

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon MSP

Important Scottish Government action – but we can do more

Commenting on today’s Scottish Programme for Government, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “The First Minister outlined many important measures today. The increase in the value and availability of the Scottish Child Payment will help thousands of households with rising living costs. Rent freezes will help tenants across the country. “But we could … Read more

Energy price hikes will cause ‘stress, anxiety, illness, debt and death’.

Reacting to today’s announcement by Ofgem, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The first moral duty of government is to protect people and provide them with security. The UK Government and Ofgem are failing badly in that duty and acting without any sense of compassion and justice. “This massive price hike is in line with … Read more

Guest blog – Sustrans Scotland offers support for active travel in marginalised communities

Sustrans Scotland has launched a support service to help third sector organisations encourage walking, wheeling and cycling in marginalised communities The benefits of walking and cycling for more everyday journeys are well documented – a 2017 study showed that regularly cycling to work reduced the incidence of cancer by 45% and heart disease by 46%.  However, … Read more

Peter Kelly of the Poverty Alliance, with Nicola Sturgeon at energy summit on 23 August 2022

‘Government and energy companies have a moral duty to act’

    Speaking after today’s energy summit alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Poverty Alliance director Peter Kelly said: “The situation we face is of a magnitude that requires a pandemic-level response. Energy companies, as well as every level of government, have a moral duty to act. Today’s summit was a constructive start, with all those … Read more

Activists media training graphic

Get Heard! – Media training for activists

10am – 4pm, Saturday 17 Sep 2022 The Wild Olive Tree Café St George’s Tron Church of Scotland 163 Buchanan St, Glasgow G1 2JX The Poverty Alliance is offering free communications training to activists who have experience of living on a low income and who want to share their stories in the news media. We … Read more

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