Tackling Poverty In Fife

A panel of experts, tasked with reducing rates of poverty across Fife, have met for the first time.

The Fairer Fife Commission will report back in November following an investigation.

One in five kids here are currently in poverty.

The Commission will examine what is causing poverty in different areas in Fife and make recommendations on how best to tackle the issue. 

Chair of the new Commission is Chief Executive of the Carnegie UK Trust Martyn Evans. He commented: "It's extremely encouraging that so many of Scotland's most experienced experts in this, and related, fields have agreed to work together with Fife Council. Our aim is to scrutinise what is currently going on to fight poverty in Fife and bring this wealth of experience to recommend new ways forward.

"We are going to look across Scotland at evidence of what is working, looking at the causes of poverty and making recommendations before the end of the year on what we believe could make a difference in Fife."

The Commission will meet six times over the course of the year focussing on issues including financial capability, welfare advice, transport links, employability skills, childcare provision, early years, educational attainment, health inequalities, housing and homelessness and addressing stigma.