Indyref: Keep up the Fight Against Poverty

The Poverty Alliance says poverty and inequality must continue to be tackled after the Scottish referendum vote is held on Thursday.

Calls are intensifying for both sides in the independence referendum to find lasting solutions to tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland.

Throughout the campaign, issues of poverty and social justice have been central to debates.

Figures show that one in five children in Fife are currently living in poverty.

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said today:
 
"This is an exciting time in Scottish politics and many people will consider the referendum to be the most important election of their lives.
 
"It is fantastic to see so many people registered to vote and I hope turnout will be high on the day.
 
"Poverty and social justice has been at the centre of the debate on independence and it been heartening to see so much debate about the type of Scotland we want to live. 
 
"In 2012/13, 16% of people in Scotland were living in poverty, more than 800,000.  People on both sides of the debate have agreed that this is unacceptable and that we need to re-think our approach to tackling the problem, whether it is low benefit levels, unemployment or low pay.  What the campaigns disagree on is how we best achieve this. 
 
"It has become increasingly clear that the results will be close and it is important that people on both sides of the debate believe their voices will be heard regardless of the result.  In particular we must ensure that the voices of those who are rarely heard, those people living in poverty, are taken seriously after the result of the referendum is known.