Sunday, September 29, 2013

Scots faces humanitarian disaster due to rocketing prices, declining wages and brutal cuts


RECORD View says no place for poverty in modern Scotland.



POVERTY in Scotland has reached the level of a humanitarian disaster.

The desperation of food banks and pay day loans are the lot of thousands of Scots.

The Daily Record has repeatedly exposed the devastation caused by rocketing food and energy prices, declining wages and the Con-Dem Government’s brutal welfare cuts.

Now 30 organisations from across Scotland are banding together to declare war on this blight on society.

Groups including Save the Children, Oxfam, the Poverty Alliance and Child Action on Poverty will unite to call on politicians to take action before it is too late.

Their campaign is welcome and long overdue – but a terrible indictment on what we have allowed to happen in Scotland.

It is nothing short of shocking that in 2013 so many people still find it impossible to eat, heat their homes and clothe themselves.

Scotland is a wealthy country, blessed with vast natural resources, inventive people and a well established economy.

There is no reason why all of our citizens should not be adequately provided for.

Many of the charities involved in poverty week on October 30 usually spend their time dealing with dire situations in war-torn countries or other troubled regions.

That the situation in Scotland now merits their attention is terrifying. In his conference speech in Brighton last week, Ed Miliband repeatedly said that Britain can do better.

More than that, it must do better.

Daily Record