Rural poverty a 'serious problem'

The report found many people faced financial problems

A year-long study has found that more than one in six people in south east Scotland is living in poverty.

The Commission on Poverty and Social Exclusion was set up last year to investigate the scale of the problem in the Scottish Borders.

It aimed to study the impact of the issue on a predominantly rural area.

Among the most serious problems discovered by the commission were low pay, high housing costs and significant levels of debt.

The study estimated that between 18,000 and 19,000 people in the Borders were living in poverty.

Its report had been issued as a "challenge paper" to Scottish Borders Council and other agencies to address the issue.

Borders Lib Dem MP Michael Moore said the findings highlighted a problem he felt was often ignored.

Resources needed

"Poverty is an endemic problem in the Borders which has gone unrecognised by the government for too long," he said.

"This timely report provides both the statistical analysis and some solutions to enable both the government and the council to tackle the serious problems we face.

"But it also highlights the difficulties of obtaining information about poverty and securing a commitment to provide the necessary resources to tackle it."

He added he had sent a copy of the report to the government seeking assurances its recommendations would be acted on.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version