Crisis Scotland responds to Scottish Government commitments to tackling poverty and ending child poverty

Crisis Scotland has responded to the statement made by the Cabinet Secretary in which she set out the Scottish Government’s commitment to investing £20 million for whole family approaches to reducing and preventing poverty, and over £61.5 million towards ending child poverty.

Maeve McGoldrick, Head of Policy and Communications at Crisis Scotland, said:

“Homelessness remains one of the most extreme forms of poverty, and so we strongly welcome today’s announcement on funding holistic, early action support for family households. We especially welcome the investment from Scottish Government to plug the gap left by the Department for Work and Pensions in housing benefit levels for families renting privately.

“Rising living costs, a shortage of genuinely affordable homes and gaps in early intervention support are continually pushing more people into inhumane living situations.

“Today’s announcement will offer some hope to those living in fear of losing their homes, and to those who are already experiencing homelessness.

“However, to bring about an end to homelessness, Government must continue efforts to expand this support to everyone at risk of, or experiencing homelessness.”

Maeve McGoldrick added:

“We cannot end poverty without ending homelessness. That is why every political party contesting the next Holyrood election must commit to ending homelessness for good by 2040.”

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