FIRST Minister Humza Yousaf has said “nothing is off the table” ahead of an anti-poverty summit.
The SNP leader will say that tackling poverty and inequality is the biggest challenge facing Scotland, at the meeting with stakeholders in Edinburgh on Wednesday.
Yousaf is set to lead the summit, where Scottish Government ministers will meet with and listen to key partners, campaigners, cross-party representatives and those with direct experience of poverty.
It comes as the SNP called on the UK Government to “match the ambition” of the Scottish Child Payment and raise the child element of Universal Credit by £25 a week.
The Scottish payment has been hailed as a “game changer” for low income families.
Opening the anti-poverty summit, the FM is expected to say: “The Scottish Government recognises the cost of living crisis is putting a huge strain on households and no-one should have to make the choice between heating, eating or turning the lights on.
“Tackling poverty and inequality is the single biggest challenge facing Scotland and requires continued, urgent and sustained action.
“Today’s anti-poverty summit is an opportunity to get round the table with campaigners, businesses, the third sector, local government, representatives from Holyrood’s main political parties and, crucially, those with direct experience of poverty, to hear their views and insights.
“This is the collaborative approach that people across Scotland want to see their First Minister and political leaders take – to secure real action on the biggest issues facing our country.”
In one of his first moves as FM, Yousaf tripled the Fuel Insecurity Fund, by adding £30 million to the scheme, to help Scots in need.
He is expected to add: “We have a strong foundation to build on, with almost £3 billion allocated this year to support policies which tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible during the cost of living crisis, and we have announced details this week of how tens of thousands of households will be supported as a result of the Fuel Insecurity Fund being tripled.
“But, as we discuss what more can be done, nothing will be off the table and I look forward to hearing all contributions at the summit, which I hope will drive new momentum in the fight against poverty in Scotland.”
We told how SNP Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn warned UK Government policies are “making people poorer and undermining progress on tackling poverty in Scotland”.
He urged the UK Government to introduce a wide range of measures to reverse child poverty, from scrapping the benefit cap to introducing a Real Living Wage.
