Tipping the scales: The social and economic harm of poverty in Scotland

Article

In a country as rich as Scotland, the moral imperative to eradicate poverty is clear.

It causes a damaging impact on individuals, but it also brings a loss of human potential and increased demand for a variety of public services. That in turns bears significant individual and economic costs.

In this report we explore the scale of harm caused to individuals and families by the struggle to get by on a low income, and quantify some of the negative impacts this has, for example on health and participation in the labour market. We find the total shortfall in incomes is actually less than the economic harms arising from the consequences of poverty.

Simply put, bold action to tackle poverty is not a zero-sum game but rather has potential to increase Scotland’s collective prosperity.

Related items

  1. Assessing the economy

    Over the past few days and weeks, there has been lots of rather histrionic commentary about the UK’s economic situation as if the budget has created an economic disaster from which we’ll never recover.
  2. Cargo ship with shipping containers docked at Felixstowe

    Towards a UK trade strategy

    The UK is facing a precarious and volatile period for global trade.

  3. Change you can board: Delivering better, greener buses

    The bus services bill is an opportunity to ensure reform really means thriving, green 21st century local bus networks in England.