Concentrated pockets of multiple deprivation can be found in the west of East Lothian, though individuals living in poverty can be found across East Lothian. For a full understanding of poverty, please read the East Lothian Poverty Profile.
This strategy is built on SOA Outcome 6 'fewer people will experience poverty in East Lothian'. To achieve change we need to focus on those who are most vulnerable to falling into poverty and seek to support those who are already living in poverty by empowering them to step out of poverty or to mitigate against its harshest impacts. The strategy is built on three elements:
- People and Places: understanding who is experiencing poverty in East Lothian, its root causes and effects on life chances.
- The Money in My Pocket: considering the harmful stress caused by financial worries, how people can maximise the resources that they have available to them, tackling financial exclusion and building financial capability.
- A Good Future for Me and My family: considering the ways that we give people the skills and capabilities needed to get prevent them falling into poverty in the future; for example, working with those furthest from the labour market, increasing confidence to access existing services and developing core life skills such as parenting skills and attachment.
Consultation Process: The Tackling Poverty Theme Group is seeking comments on this strategy from members of the public, community groups and other community planning partners. We welcome all contributions to this process. Comments are welcome on all aspects of the strategy, including the action plan. We have set out some consultation questions in the document for you to consider. We are also keen to receive general comments or feedback. Here are the three consultation documents:
1. Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy Consultation Document
2. Draft Tackling Poverty Strategy Action Plan Consultation Document
3. Short Presentation on the strategy
Please send your consultation response by the 9th of September to: Rebecca Spillane, Equalities Officer, East Lothian Council, John Muir House, East Lothian, EH41 3HA, Email: policy@eastlothian.gov.uk
Fairer East Lothian Fund