Moves To Combat Poverty

Figures show that 1 in 5 children in the Kingdom are living in poverty.

1 in 5 children in Fife are living in poverty.

Figures show it's a problem that's been rising steadily since the introduction of welfare reforms.

Councillors have set aside £5.4 million to tackle the impact of welfare reform across Fife. As well as covering the costs of administering the new Government schemes, £1 million will go towards developing local support plans.

Fife Council Leader David Ross commented: “We have to be able to assist people when they face a crisis, are particularly vulnerable or in need of help. But it’s just as important to try to address the causes of poverty in our communities. It’s not about hand outs, it’s about a hand up when people need it.

“That’s why the council is investing in schemes to improve skills and training, give our young people work experience and provide more apprenticeships. That’s why we’re working with large and small businesses in Fife to provide more jobs and promoting the living wage.

“We’re investing in early years, working with families to give under 3s a good start in life. We’re investing in mainstream education and working with Fife College and employers to make sure all our young people get the opportunity to reach their full potential. We’re also investing in new housing so that everyone has a decent, warm home they can afford, tackling fuel poverty and helping to improve health.

“In the long run, this investment will benefit everyone in Fife, reduce the need for welfare payments and things like food banks. In the meantime, we have to ensure that everyone has access to the advice and support they need, particularly when they’re being hit by the worst aspects of the current welfare reforms such as the bedroom tax.”

Possible projects in Glenrothes include:

• Increasing computer literacy, particularly for job seekers to help satisfy the ‘Claimant Commitments’ agreed with JobCentre advisors;
• Helping benefit claimants gain the personal skills and abilities to deal with Jobcentre and job seeker activities
• Helping benefit claimants gain increased knowledge and opportunities to improve their financial situation and have maximised, stable income
• Improving literacy amongst benefit claimants to enable job searches and applications

Chair of Glenrothes Area Committee Cllr Altany Craik commented: “Today we had a wide ranging discussion about where to target resources and focus on the outcomes that we need to help those most impacted by the welfare reform agenda. Our bid is designed to provide critical, additional support in the Glenrothes area and protect the most vulnerable in our society.”

Possible projects for Dunfermline include:

• a new team of workers and advisers who will provide specialist advice and support
• providing more Digital Skills Courses and Community Job Clubs that will focus on literacy and job-searches
• a Voucher/Discretionary Support Scheme for those in greatest need

Chair of City of Dunfermline’s Area Committee Cllr Helen Law commented: “This isn’t about giving people hand outs. We’re asking for £223,601 for Dunfermline to help us take preventative measures and start fighting back against poverty.”

A key part of the plans for Dunfermline will be to develop premises in the city centre as a hub from where it’s planned to offer a range of local support services with 3rd sector partners including the Credit Union and CARF.

Added Cllr Law: “There is a real need to properly link services together at a central location close to the bus station. We have to make sure people have access to money advice and IT equipment, and provide support for people to use technology to access benefits and apply for jobs. As demand increases for these services from all across west Fife it’s vital that we provide a welfare reform support hub for local families.”

Councillors will discuss final funding arrangements for all seven areas at Executive Committee next month.