Overview
With one in five people (22%) having their life chances restricted by the injustice of preventable poverty, it is clear that the safety net in the UK is insufficient. After over 10 years of cuts and restrictions, our social security system is failing the people it is intended to support. This is evidenced by the fact 90% of people in receipt of Universal Credit are currently going without essentials. We also continue to see structural problems in our labour market relating to low wages, declining job quality and increasing precarity which means that work is not always a sustainable route out of poverty. Indeed, 70% of children experiencing poverty in Scotland live in a household where someone is in paid work.
These issues have been further illuminated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing impact of the cost of living crisis. Across the UK, we have seen a rising tide of poverty as people struggle to access adequate incomes that enable them to live a decent and dignified life.
Key findings
1. Civil society demonstrated widespread enthusiasm for the MIG
The idea of the Scottish Government adopting a more substantive approach to addressing poverty, believing that continued high rates of poverty cannot be justified in a wealthy country like Scotland proved to be popular.
2. We must consider the actions needed at UK-level, particularly around the strengthening of our social security system
This can be implemented through a focus on adequacy and the removal of policies like the two-child limit.
3. Building a strong public narrative framework to support the MIG has been a recurrent theme and top priority in engagement with our members
Public awareness of the MIG remains fairly low, in part reflecting the low-levels of civil society and political engagement in the policy. This renders clear, effective communication of particular importance as we enter the period of implementation.
4. Civil society raised questions about the role of employers and fair work in the delivery of the MIG
This is particularly important as public polling continues to show support for fair work as the best route out of poverty, and early press coverage has raised questions of work incentives within the MIG. A lack of clarity in this space will create a key barrier to public and political support.
Key recommendations
1. The Expert Group should consider developing a roadmap to accompany the publication of their final report, and civil society should use this approach in our advocacy on the policy.
2. Within the current devolution settlement, the Scottish Government can, and must, make a substantial contribution to the delivery of a MIG in Scotland. Civil society demonstrated consensus for the Scottish Government utilising all of the powers at their disposal across fair work, public services, taxation, and social security to progress the policy.
3. We must consider the actions needed at UK-level, particularly in the realm of social security, and what can be achieved via collaborative approaches. Civil society must broaden the focus of our advocacy to cement the critical role of the UK Government in realising the potential of a ‘full’ MIG. The Expert Group should also be clear in their final report as to the critical role of the UK Government in delivery.
Further reading