Morag Gillespie, Deputy Director Scottish Poverty Information Unit

Scottish Poverty Information Unit Established 1995 applied research unit in School of Law and Social Sciences at GCU. In pursuit of the ‘common weal’: SPIU contributes to social and economic regeneration of communities in Scotland Poverty is caused by the distribution of opportunities and resources rather than the lack of resources in society. Poverty can therefore be reduced or eradicated

Inequality and Poverty Poverty and inequality are not synonymous but are closely linked Equality is central to understanding and addressing poverty: It is a founding principle of the Scottish Parliament Governments committed to ‘equality mainstreaming’ and promoting equality. Good equalities policies need to have good equalities practices, processes and resources

Inequality and Poverty Progress, but limited … gap between rhetoric and action equalities bolted on to existing structures and processes economic interests are paramount Different approach for a more equal society: Equality as central aim Equality at the core of policy and action

Approaches to Poverty Scottish Executive - Social Justice Strategy, Closing the Opportunity Gap (from 2004) Scottish Government – Achieving our Potential – explicit link to economic strategy – new language on poverty, inequality, deprivation/ solidarity and fairness Key income policies at UK level but some key measures in Scotland, e.g.: free personal care for the elderly Changes to funding for higher education reducing prescription charges free school meals

Priorities Economy/ business as key driver over first 10 years in Scotland as in UK Singular focus on work as response to poverty Has that focus run its course? Recession heightening economy as key concern Resource implications and responses will not be experienced equally People serving economic priorities v economy serving people

Employment Despite improvement, 1 in 6 of Scotland’s pensioners still live in poverty in 2006, 77.2% of men and 72.1% women were in employment 28 % women work part time (7% of men) adults from minority ethnic groups: 58% in employment in 2005 (white ethnic groups 75%) disabled adults employment rate 48% (non-disabled adults 82%) – increase from 38% in 1999

Incomes out of work - couples

Low paid workers in Scotland are twice as likely to be women as men…

Gender and training

Economy and Equality Economy as priority hasn’t dealt with high poverty in a rich nation Strong vested interests Resources concentrated with more powerful groups Key groups disadvantage Market is where value is expressed – care, voluntary work, unpaid work in the home is not valued ‘undeserving’ and low priority groups – reserve army of labour And economics is not an exact science! Problem with future knowledge with SOA approach More equal society needs to be first priority!

Equality first? What changes with equality at core? People/ communities come first Resource allocation informed by equality analysis who’s disadvantaged by decisions – addressing consequences Welfare system that meets people’s needs/ social and life-course support Tackle discrimination – employment, education services Address access needs Positive action Redistribution

Put equality first today! Bias in economic policy and budgetary interventions Set interests of market economy aside today Listen to contributions and consider possibilities for a better more equal society How to move beyond aspirations? What should priorities be to achieve less divided more equal society?