Reacting to the Scottish Government’s launch of a national discussion on ‘Creating a fairer Scotland’, Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said:
“Across the world, economic inequality has reached extreme levels but it is not inevitable and we must find ways to deliver an economy, and a society, that works for everyone in Scotland.
“Right now, around one in five people in Scotland live in poverty and we have witnessed a scandalous rise in hunger. It is clear we cannot win the fight against poverty unless we tackle extreme inequality.
“Therefore, the Scottish Government’s focus on creating a fairer Scotland is highly encouraging, particularly its promise to talk to people with direct experience of poverty in shaping its future policies and actions.
“Reducing inequality will require action across a range of fronts, not least from Government but it cannot be the job of one department; it must be a whole of government approach.
“Governments at Scottish and UK levels must do more to create decent, well-paid, secure jobs; rebuild the social safety net so it is fit for the 21st Century; and ensure our tax system is more progressive.”