SNP MSP HOSTS LAUNCH OF NEW ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGN.

SNP MSP HOSTS LAUNCH OF NEW ANTI-POVERTY CAMPAIGN.

POVERTY ACTION MUST NOT SUFFER FROM RECESSION.

West of Scotland SNP MSP Bill Wilson, will today help launch the Getfair Scotland campaign, a new campaign group aimed at raising awareness of poverty issues in Scotland and across the UK, in the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday) with the signing of a Poverty Pledge by senior representatives from Scotland’s parties.

The Scottish Launch of the Get Fair campaign will take place in Committee Room 1 at Holyrood on Wednesday 14 January at 1pm with the senior party representatives signing the Poverty Pledge.

Commenting on the aims of the campaign Bill Wilson said:

“With recession biting this campaign is timely and I am honoured to have the privilege of helping host its launch in the Scottish Parliament and equally pleased that senior party representatives have agreed to sign the poverty pledge.

“It is my hope that this campaign will help the UK Government work towards addressing the issues identified by Getfair Scotland to reverse the possible impact of the economic crisis, particularly for those on low incomes.

“I am pleased that the SNP Government is taking the action within its powers to tackle poverty with steps to increase affordable housing with 5,700 new starts over the last year and a £25 million fund to help those struggling with mortgage costs at this time.

“It is equally welcome that the SNP is tackling fuel poverty by extending the central heating programme to include not only pensioners but those young families on benefits who are particularly at risk and we will continue to pressure energy companies to bring down their prices.

“With increasing use of benefits checks and opening up access to support services with the National Debtline and a new debt forum established this week - to consider other ways in which we can support people in hardship – I am glad the SNP is taking poverty seriously and continuing work toward ending poverty in Scotland and to preventing a worsening situation during this economic downturn.”

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