Highland Council has a key role to play in tackling child poverty and helping people avoid crisisIrene Brandt
In the wake of the findings by the United Nations that child poverty levels in the UK are "not just a disgrace but a social calamity and an economic disaster.", Green by-election candidate Irene Brandt has called for Highland Council to do more to help tackle child poverty.
Irene says "Highland Council has a key role to play in tackling child poverty and helping people avoid crisis. Highland Council needs to provide better access to advice and legal aid to tenants at risk of homelessness, and do more to help people claim the benefits they are entitled to.
"I know that austerity has been imposed on us by the Conservative government. But the Greens were able to secure an extra £7million for Highland Council last year from the Scottish government budget, and Highland Council should prioritise its spending on the things that matter most - like child poverty."
Irene's call comes after UN special rapporteur on poverty; Philip Alston released his report on poverty in the UK which will be presented to the United Nations council in Geneva next year. Philip Alston wrote "In the UK, poverty is a political choice." He found that the Westminster government's austerity policies contravened UN human rights agreements relating to women, children, disabled people and economic and social rights.
"Highland Council must choose to do more to tackle child poverty" says Irene Brandt.
Irene is currently running in the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Council By-Election.