A 'mixed picture' of progress in tackling poverty and social exclusion in Scotland emerged in an independent monitoring report setting out information for 34 different indicators, ranging from low income, health and education to housing conditions, community safety and participation in elections (mainly covering the five years to 2000-01). Despite falling unemployment and some improvement in educational qualifications, the number of people living in low-income households in Scotland (1.2 million) was slightly higher in 2000-01 than in 1997-98. The number of children in such households remained broadly unchanged, in contrast to the rest of Great Britain where it declined.
Source: Peter Kenway, Steven Fuller, Mohibur Rahman, Cathy Street and Guy Palmer, Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 431213)
Links: Report (pdf) | JRF Findings D22
Date: 2002-Dec
A report drew on quantitative and qualitative research to establish the incidence and characteristics of child poverty in Scotland, to compare poverty in social inclusion partnerships, and to examine the role of social inclusion partnerships in tackling the problem.
Source: Peter Kemp, Jo Dean and Daniel Mackay, Child Poverty in Social Inclusion Partnerships, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Report | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A report said that the reduction in poverty in Scotland has stalled and remains at disturbingly high levels. It questioned whether either the United Kingdom government or the Scottish Executive is doing enough to end poverty within even a generation.
Source: Usha Brown, Gill Scott, Gerry Mooney and Bryony Duncan (eds.), Poverty in Scotland 2002 People, places and policies (4th edition), Child Poverty Action Group (020 7837 7979), Scottish Poverty Information Unit/Glasgow Caledonian University and Open University
Links: Summary | CPAG press release
Date: 2002-Nov
The Scottish Executive published its third annual report on its social justice agenda. It simultaneously announced that, in line with the commitment to eradicate child poverty within a generation, 31 million is to be spent over the next three years on initiatives that help families find their way out of poverty. Campaigners reportedly accused the Executive of issuing misleading statistics on the fall in child poverty since 1997.
Source: Social Justice ...A Scotland where Everyone Matters - Annual Report 2002, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566) | Press release 18.11.02, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400) | Community Care, 19.11.02
Links: Report | Press release | Community Care article
Date: 2002-Nov
Researchers found that people working in social inclusion partnerships in Scotland have a much wider perspective on child poverty than simply insufficient income, but that nonetheless child poverty is not being tackled in a strategic manner.
Source: Peter Kemp, Jo Dean and Daniel Mackay, Child Poverty in Social Inclusion Partnerships, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Oct
The number of people living in fuel poverty is to be reduced by 30 per cent within four years, according to new Scottish Executive targets.
Source: Scottish Fuel Poverty Statement, Scottish Executive, TSO (0870 606 5566)
Links: Statement (pdf) | Statement | Press release
Date: 2002-Aug
