Poverty is one of the biggest problems in our society – and it has been made worse by the current cost of living crisis.
The Daily Record reported yesterday that more than one million people in Scotland are having to choose between heating and eating. Now, research from the Health Foundation shows that the poorest children in Scotland are eight times more likely to die before their first birthday than the richest.
More than ever we need radical solutions to reduce poverty and make Scotland a more equal country. That’s why it is refreshing to see someone as passionate as the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee.
Many of those who talk about poverty do so from an abstract point of view, having never gone without or even mixed with people from poorer backgrounds. They are unable to solve the problem as they have no understanding of what it is like.
But Natalie Don is different. She knows the struggles of those who are experiencing hardship as she has been through it herself.
The SNP MSP for Renfrewshire North and West is one of few elected representatives to have received free school meals. She has woken up without heating on Christmas Day and has spent days going hungry.
This puts her in a unique position to tackle the problems at hand. She sees the suffering happening and doesn’t want others to go through what she did.
Don is exactly the kind of person we need to help improve the quality of life of millions of people in Scotland.
Hampden glaur
All credit to the four clubs who served up compelling Viaplay Cup semi-finals last weekend.
Celtic, Kilmarnock, Rangers and Aberdeen went all-out to make it to the final in two enthralling matches. Sadly, the Hampden pitch fell well short of the standard set by the players.
The surface was a mess and unbefitting of our national stadium. The hallowed turf took a battering during foul weather over the weekend but it wasn’t in great nick to start with.
Managers and players were left understandably frustrated by a boggy surface that sapped strength and increased risk of injury. No one can control the weather but all involved in the game are entitled to expect better.
The football authorities should look at the wisdom of having two huge matches in successive days in the middle of a Scottish winter. They have to make sure the pitch is worthy of hosting showpieces occasions regardless of the weather.
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