Scotland's poorest 'miss out on aid'
Monday 03 September 2012
Printable
EmailScotland's poorest people are missing out on vital help intended to target them, researchers revealed today.
A report from Heriot-Watt University said disabled people, minority ethnic groups, lone parents and older people if they suffer from high levels of poverty but do not live in the poorest communities.
The researchers also found people living in the poorest areas can miss out on help if the reasons for their poverty differe from those around them.
A disabled person may be excluded from the labour market because of they need specific support with transport, for instance.
The research was conducted for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, whose Scotland commissioner Kaliani Lyle said: "Much of the government's strategy to tackle the scourge of poverty in Scotland is a concentration on the poorest 15 per cent of areas.
"What we need is a more nuanced approach which takes into account the fact that some of our poorest people don't live in our poorest areas."
If you appreciated this article then please consider donating to the Morning Star's Fighting Fund to ensure we can keep developing your paper.
Editorial
It doesn't have to be like this
Official inflation figures understate the real extent of rising costs, but even the government's own CPI scheme lays bare the ongoing misery for working people and those dependent on benefits.
Features
A strategy for our victory
The Con-Dems have had it their way too long. We have to turn this country around
Education for all: let's make it a reality
How high-quality primary schooling could help solve global poverty