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. An older man with a walking stick is sitting on a sofa having his temperature taken with a thermometer in his ear by a female nurse in uniform

    This time must be different: Overcoming barriers to social care reform

    Adult social care services across England are struggling to keep up with increased demand, let alone improve. But failure is not an option.
  2. Queen Square Bus Station on Hood Street in Liverpool city centre

    En route to renewal: Delivering better, greener buses

    Good buses drive a strong economy, healthy environment and thriving society. 
  3. Townhouses beside the railway on the viaduct with a running train in Durham, UK

    On track to prosperity: Great Northern Rail

    It’s time the North saw real change for better transport, delivering prosperity and better lives: a long-term plan for Great Northern Rail