Anti-Poverty Group Policy and Information Tracker
Key policy and information areas being monitored by the Anti-Poverty Group.
The Scottish Government’s plan Cash First: Towards ending the need for food banks in Scotland aims to prevent food insecurity using actions that will strengthen incomes and reduce the cost of living and respond to food insecurity by using emergency financial assistance, money advice and the use of holistic services.
Interesting Reading:
LGiU Briefing: Nourishing Scotland: The local authorities delivering a cash first approach to food security. 7 October 2024
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
LOIP Improvement Project 1.3 being led by CFine. The project will initially draw on learning from the Aberdeen Cash First Project being run by ACVO in partnership with other Community Planning Aberdeen partners CFINE, Instant Neighbour, Aberdeen Foyer, ADA, Aberdeen Cyrenians and Aberdeen City Council. Improvement Project 1.3 will consider the effectiveness of the changes being tested and consider the scalability for a wider demographic.
Cost of Living Campaign Launch 24 Nov 2025
The Scottish Government is working to promote the shared values that strengthen our communities and show the benefits of community cohesion in action, while also providing reassurance around existing support and services available for communities.
Three distinct strands of activity will deliver this strategy and run concurrently:
- We are Scotland
- Scotland’s Highlights 2025
- Cost of Living
Further information will be shared on each of these campaigns before they go live, and a summary of each is included in the Cost of Living toolkit.
Cost of Living campaign
The cost of living presents an ongoing challenge to people and families across Scotland, with many struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living website brings together information on support, grants, benefits and advice that is available, in order to help people find what support they may be entitled to, as well as support available to get back into work.
The overarching message of the campaign is that many of us are struggling to keep on top of costs, pay bills, pay rent, heat our homes, buy food and keep life moving, therefore it is really important that people know about the support available and reach out if they need it.
The campaign was first launched in 2022, and will run again from 24 November to 7 December with a second burst running from 1 January to 25 January across TV, radio and digital. The second burst will also include Outdoor advertising running until 8 February.
The attached toolkit includes:
- Key messages
- Link to the Cost of Living website
- Campaign timings
- TV advert and 15 second social films
- Social media assets and suggested copy
- Downloadable web banners
- Downloadable Cost of Living poster
All campaign resources can be found via the SG Communications Resource Centre – Cost of Living
How You Can Help
- Apply the Cost of Living campaign badge to your own relevant materials
- Share campaign digital assets across your social channels, including the web banners across your relevant websites
- Add the editorial to newsletters for circulation
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty & Community Empowerment Group:
Interesting Reading:
Aberdeen City Council Response to Call for Views
Scotland’s next Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2025-31
Child Poverty Prevention Dashboard
Prioritise Child Poverty Resource.
Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
Community Planning Aberdeen has received funds from Round 1 and Round 2 of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund. Progress updates being provided regularly at the Anti-Poverty Group.
Interesting Reading:
Presentation on Digital Poverty and Exclusion, Margaret Stewart and Jacqueline Geekie Jan 2025
Tackling digital exclusion | Audit Scotland
DPA Directory: for research and insights – Digital Poverty Alliance
Inspiring Practice from Elsewhere
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
Discussion Topic January 2025. Jacqueline Geekie will be chairing a new strategic group to address digital poverty and digital exclusion. The group will consider how we
can use data more effectively and will be open to community partners
with first hand experience of the impact that digital exclusion has on
the most vulnerable. The following members of the Anti-Poverty Group volunteered to be involved:
Shola Ajide – Fountain of Love Church
Dave Black/ Murray Dawson – SHMU
Sophy Green – Instant Neighbour (rep to be confirmed)
Leona McDermid – Aberdeen Foyer (rep to be confirmed)
Wayne Scorgie – Cyrenians
Jacquline will be in touch in due course.
Interesting Reading:
Presentation on Gambling Harms delivered by Phil Mackie, 29 April 2025
Public Health Scotland Statement of Gambling Policy Consultation
How Glasgow is tackling gambling harms
Survey Results on Anti-Poverty Group Gambling Awareness and Support, April 25
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
Will be explored as part of the development of the Local Outcome Improvement Plan 2026-36
Interesting Reading:
Presentation on Transport Poverty, Caroline Hood Nestrans Dec 2024
Illegal Money Lending in Scotland – ScotPulse Research Findings
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
Agreed as future discussion topic.
Interesting Reading:
Presentation on Transport Poverty, Caroline Hood Nestrans Dec 2024
Transport Poverty, Public Health Scotland Presentation Dec 2024
Inspiring Practice from Elsewhere
First free public transport trial to start in Glasgow.
Action being taken by the Anti-Poverty Group:
Discussion topic at Dec 2024 meeting. Presentation was provided by Caroline Hood from NESTRANS. Anti-Poverty Group agreed it was a topic to be explored further. Michelle will work with external advisers to report on this issue to the Anti-Poverty and Inequality Committee. Chris Smillie, HSCP volunteered to be involved.