Poverty Alliance Annual Conference and AGM:
It’s Everyone’s Business: Working Together to Combat Poverty
The Poverty Alliance’s Annual Conference and AGM will take place on Friday, 1 October 2010, at the City Halls in Glasgow. The annual conference will begin at 9.30am, with the Poverty Alliance’s formal AGM following lunch, at 1.45 pm. The AGM is an opportunity to hear about the range of activities that the Alliance has been involved in over the last year and about how to get involved with us in the fight against poverty in Scotland. Click here for more information and to register.
Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty Report Published
The first Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty took place, in Glasgow, in February. Around 200 people attended the event to look at some of the key challenges facing us in the fight against poverty in Scotland. The report from this event is now available to download here.
New EPIC Briefing Papers Launched
Six new briefing papers have been launched as part of the EPIC project. They have been produced as part of the training programme for EPIC and cover issues such as 'myth busting', and 'influencing Government', as well as analysis of policy issues such as the Achieving Our Potential Framework. To download the briefing papers click here.
Agreement Reached on EU Poverty Target
The new 10 year European Growth strategy - Europe 2020 - will include a target to reduce poverty by 20 million over the next 10 years. EAPN in the UK had been lobbying the Prime Minister for a target based on the traditional 'at-risk' measure of poverty, but a compromise has now been agreed. Member states will now be able to measure using the using one of three measures: the 'at-risk', material deprivation and jobless housholds. For more information visit the EAPN website
Budget Blow for Poor Scots
The new Chancellor's emergency budget will bring hardship for people living on low incomes in Scotland, according to the Poverty Alliance. The freeze on child benefit, the increase in VAT and restrictions in Housing Benefit do not add up to a package that supports the most vulnerable in our society. To read the Alliance's response to the budget click here
Scottish Parliament debates Poverty Framework
Members of the Scottish Parliament have debated the Achieving Our Potential anti-poverty framework. In a wide range debate serious questions were asked about the monitoring of the framework and the approach to tackling low pay in the strategy. During the debate the Convenor of the European and External Relations Committee, Irene Oldfather MSP, warned against 'negotiating the poor out of our economic stratgey' during discussions on the new Europe 2020 strategy. To read the full debate visit the Scottish Palriament website
Scottish Living Wage Campaign Increases Target figure to £7.15
The Scottish Living Wage Campaign has uprated the target figure for the Living Wage in Scotland. From May 2010 the Campaign will be seeking a figure of £7.15 an hour. This figure is based on research carried out the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and will ensure that the Living Wage is not allowed to fall behind during the recession. For more information visit the new Scottish Living Wage Campaign website
Voices for Change, Creating Change:
Free Training
Do you feel that there is a need for change in the communities where we live and across Scotland in general? Have you ever had something to say on an issue but didn’t know who was best to say it to? Ever wondered how decisions are made and who makes them? And do you want to join with others to work for real change in your community? If the answers are yes, then this training is for you!
We currently have no training dates schedueld. However, if you would specifically like training in your area contact the EPIC team.
For further details about the free training and the EPIC project please click here.
European Year for Combating Poverty: What are You Doing?
2010 is the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion. This is an important opportunity for groups and organisations in Scotland to highlight their contribution to tackling poverty and to work together to push the Government for greater change. The Poverty Alliance is working with the European Anti-Poverty Network to raise the profile of activity that contributes to the European Year - download the form and tell us what you are doing. Click here for more information NEW: Events have been add to the site. To view or to find out how to add your event click here