.@Philip_Whyte made his final TV appearance on @itvnews, on his final day as director of IPPR Scotland. Fittingly, the discussion centered on tackling child poverty, a cause he dedicated himself to during his time here. The full video can be viewed here: https://t.co/myQ3bAkfKv
New poverty stats were out this morning and show…
-very little change in levels of poverty in Scotland
-we are almost certain to miss the Interim Scottish Child Poverty Targets
This thread will cover some of the key takeaways from today’s release 🧵
Child poverty statistics released today show that 260,000 children, the equivalent of over 11,000 primary school classes, were trapped in poverty in Scotland in 2022-23. These figures must be a wakeup call says @Philip_Whyte
Read our full response here: https://t.co/20fTxmNg0f
Insightful report @IPPRScotland💡
❌People risk being trapped in poverty due to the absence of secure & well-paid work.
✅Boosting fair working conditions benefits individuals & the economy.
🟢Recommendations focus on existing schemes, identifying areas of improvement.
👇
📢📢NEW REPORT📢📢
At a time when more than a quarter of a million unemployed people in Scotland are looking for work, our new report by @Philip_Whyte finds that full devolution of employment support can tackle child poverty and boost economy. Read here: https://t.co/ut6i21DV81
"Hunt’s tax giveaway primarily benefits the richest in Scotland and threatens public services." Read our full analysis of how the 'slash-and-crash' spring budget affects Scottish people. https://t.co/YQU1RxY8L7
🌍NEW REPORT🌍@scotgov needs to accelerate the transition to clean heat urgently.
Funding has to be fair for all, so that no home is left behind.
@davehawkey_, in partnership with @OxfamScotland and @sfha_hq, shows how this is possible. Read here: https://t.co/9abujjKkKx
Thanks @Philip_Whyte@IPPRScotland & @emma_econ @Strath_FAI for your insight at @PovertyAlliance workshop to discuss investment required to deliver a minimum income guarantee.
Yes there are big questions that need big solutions, but there’s so much possibility for real change.
Ahead of parliament vote on Scottish budget tomorrow, we urge you to read our latest blog by @sukhadatatke on the need to boost social housing in the face of the homelessness crisis - the Scottish government has planned massive cuts to affordable housing.
https://t.co/EHWgsuHflR
We are delighted to do a fringe event at the #ScotLab24 this weekend, discussing how poverty can be tackled through fair work and employment opportunities. Come by if you're around! Speakers include @PFOKane, @Laura_FifeG and @Philip_Whyte
After an incredible time leading @IPPRScotland, I'll sadly be saying farewell to it soon.
It's an amazing job with a fantastic team, and I'm really proud of the work we've done to push for progressive policy change - but happily, now you can come do it!
https://t.co/JuzgkLHa7O
Ahead of today's @ScotParl budget debate a reminder different choices can and must be made. @IPPRScotland show that the £140m to fund Council Tax freeze if spent on Scottish Child Payment could lift 10,000 children out of poverty https://t.co/6C0aciSetu👇
And if the £140 million to fund the Council Tax freeze had instead been diverted to Scottish Child Payment, 10,000 more children could have been lifted out of poverty, reducing the relative child poverty rate by an extra percentage point.
The @scotgov Council Tax freeze will hurt people on low incomes.
💔The wealthiest households get the biggest benefit.
💔The resulting damage to our local services affect all of us, but especially those who need them most.
It's far past time for a progressive replacement.
🧵Last week @JohnMasonMSP put our argument on council tax to @S_A_Somerville in parliament: freezing council tax is an ineffective way of using the @scotgov budget to help people with the cost of living. What was the question? What is the answer? (1/7)
https://t.co/cARU3EyKsq
Sobering news from the 2024 Scottish Homelessness Monitor: homelessness set to soar by a third over the next 2 years. @scotgov must act urgently to live up to its ambition of an equal+fair Scotland. Having a safe, warm and secure place to call home is utterly important. (1/n) 🧵
The SNP Government’s “ineffectual” council tax freeze is keeping an extra 10,000 Scots kids in poverty, according to experts.
https://t.co/rsvDrZ61yZ
https://t.co/rsvDrZ61yZ
The Scottish Government “would have lifted 10,000 more children out of poverty” if they had used the money set aside for the council tax freeze to hike the Scottish Child Payment instead. https://t.co/o6DYCKKRTb 👇 Full story