Campaigners plan anti-poverty march to ‘demand better’ for Scotland

Campaigners from trade unions, voluntary organisations and the Church of Scotland have announced plans for an anti-poverty march to “demand better” from politicians in Scotland.

The campaign, Scotland Demands Better, will culminate in a march in Edinburgh on October 25, walking from the Scottish Parliament, up the Royal Mile and along George IV Bridge to The Meadows.

Led by the Poverty Alliance, which said “too many are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned”, the campaign calls for better working conditions, increased investment in public services including transport, and improved social security.

It is backed by the Church of Scotland and supported by the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), Oxfam Scotland, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and Citizens Advice Scotland.

Oxfam Scotland said politicians need to “tax the wealthiest fairly and invest in building a fairer, greener future”, amid statistics which show one fifth of the population are living in poverty.

Campaigners said there is “growing public anger at a lack of fundamental political action to build a better society”, and have issued three demands, including jobs with fair conditions and wages that pay the bills; better investment for essentials; and better social security.

Peter Kelly, chief executive of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. Scotland desperately needs that change.

“Too many of us are being cut off from life’s essentials. Too many are frightened of what the future will bring. Too many of us are feeling tired, angry, isolated, and disillusioned. Too many are without a home, or sacrificing meals for their families, dreading winter due to heating costs, or struggling to get by on wages that don’t cover their household costs.

“We know it doesn’t have to be this way. It can’t be right that one in five of us are still living in poverty.

“It’s time for organisations across Scotland to come together to show our political leaders that we demand the fundamental changes and investment that will lead to a better future for all of us.”

Too many people, especially those already pushed to the margins, are being left behind without a fair shot at a better life

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, and Justice & Peace Scotland are also involved.

Rt Rev Rosie Frew, of the Church of Scotland, said: “The Church is determined to be visible and vocal about the injustice and oppression that is happening around us.

“We welcome the Scotland Demands Better march and our congregations across the country will be actively involved, helping to bring Christ’s compassion into our public life.”

STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said: “We’re delighted to join with the Poverty Alliance and civic groups across Scotland to demand better for our people and our communities. We would ask all those who agree with us to stand beside our movement on October 25.”

Head of Oxfam Scotland, Jamie Livingstone, said: “This is a march for all of us – a line in the sand that says ‘enough is enough’ and that we won’t be bystanders.

“Too many people, especially those already pushed to the margins, are being left behind without a fair shot at a better life.

“We’re demanding our political leaders tax the wealthiest fairly and invest in building a fairer, greener future for everyone – today, tomorrow and for generations to come.”

Mike Robinson, chairman of Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, said: “If we want to tackle poverty and inequality we need to tackle climate change.

“Warm homes, affordable renewable energy, regenerative agriculture, and affordable, joined up public transport are the building blocks for a sustainable, more equitable Scotland, and the driving force for the next generation of jobs.

“Political leaders know that, so it’s frustrating that they refuse to get serious about climate action. We urge everyone who cares about a sustainable, thriving environment to join the march and raise their voices together.”

Emma Jackson of Citizens Advice Scotland said: “Our social security system should be there for all of us when we need it. But over the decades political leaders have eroded this vital social foundation and caused real harm.

“Citizens Advice Bureaux across Scotland see first-hand the devastating impact that has on people’s lives – debt, destitution, despair, and worsening physical and mental health.

“People are now demanding that we repair and restore our social security system to provide a better future for all of us.”

Chris Birt of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said: “Too many people in Scotland are feeling forgotten about and that is writ large in the fact that one million people here live in poverty. But this is something that we can change.

“Decision makers need to hear loud and clear that Scotland Demands Better.”