Tipping the scales: The social and economic harm of poverty in Scotland

Article

In a country as rich as Scotland, the moral imperative to eradicate poverty is clear.

It causes a damaging impact on individuals, but it also brings a loss of human potential and increased demand for a variety of public services. That in turns bears significant individual and economic costs.

In this report we explore the scale of harm caused to individuals and families by the struggle to get by on a low income, and quantify some of the negative impacts this has, for example on health and participation in the labour market. We find the total shortfall in incomes is actually less than the economic harms arising from the consequences of poverty.

Simply put, bold action to tackle poverty is not a zero-sum game but rather has potential to increase Scotland’s collective prosperity.

Related items

  1. Union Jack flag and the Stars and Stripes flag of the USA, fluttering together in front of Big Ben in Westminster

    It's the cost of living, stupid: Why progressives lose and win

    UK households are impatient for change. Trust in our political system is low and that’s reflected in scepticism across the board that government can make things better. 

  2. Getting the child poverty strategy we need: A co-produced agenda for change

    The UK government has a time-limited opportunity to make a decisive difference to child poverty in its upcoming strategy. 

  3. Not yet settled? Assessing the government’s new policy on indefinite leave to remain

    This month’s white paper represented the most significant shake-up in immigration policy since Brexit.