LIBERAL DEMOCRATS COMMITTED TO TACKLING ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY

Written by Ross Finnie on Thu 7th May 2009

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS COMMITTED TO TACKLING ROOT CAUSES OF POVERTY

Commenting on statistics published today showing that some 17 per cent of the population in Scotland continue to live in relative poverty, Liberal Democrat Communities spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP said:

"These statistics confirm that poverty continues to blight too many lives in Scotland.

"The small reduction in the number of children living in poverty is encouraging, but is offset by the rise in the number of pensioners living below the poverty line.

"It is clear that there is still a great deal more to be done to support the most vulnerable people in our society. Improving social mobility is at the heart of the Liberal Democrat commitment to fairness.

"The Scottish Government must tackle the root causes of poverty - drug abuse, alcohol addiction and chronic skill shortages."

Ends.