Efforts to tackle poverty in Edinburgh have put almost £24 million into the pockets of residents who need it most, according to a report published today (Friday 11 October).

Edinburgh’s latest End Poverty Annual Progress report looks at how partners are responding to the recommendations put to the city by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission in 2020. 

Around 80,000 people in Edinburgh are currently living in poverty, including 20% of all children.  

The report reveal grants and welfare advice has increased by 20% over the last year, helping residents to access millions of pounds in unclaimed benefits, and that positive collaboration between the council and partners has also led to:

• Supporting 5,000 people into work or learning (a 19% increase on the previous year)
• Driving down bills for 900 homes thanks to new energy efficiency measures
• Securing savings worth £206k for tenants through Energy Advice Support (an average of £428 per household)
• Helping to prevent homelessness for 461 households
• Over 9,000 free school meal payments and nearly 8,400 clothing grant awards
• Supporting 95% of all pupils to reach positive destinations after school
• Encouraging payment of the living wage (up 80 in a year to 720 accredited employers)
• Agreeing Council contracts committed to paying the real Living Wage (96% of suppliers, up 14%)
• Introducing a new Regenerative Futures Fund, a third sector led programme bringing £15m of new investment.

Marking this year’s findings, shared during Challenge Poverty Week 2024, the Council Leader Cammy Day made a visit to Fresh Start in North Edinburgh [pictured].

One of the many partners involved in helping to tackle poverty in Edinburgh, Fresh Start is a charity which offers a food pantry and helps people who have been homeless with essential supplies. 

The full report will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee when it meets on Tuesday 22 October.

Council Leader Cammy Day said:

“We have shown that when we come together as a city, we can make a real difference. And this difference really can be life changing. We’ve put more money directly into the pockets of those people who need it most this year, also helping 5,000 people into work or learning. 

“The Council’s budget decision to allocate an additional £500,000 investment in actions to address poverty this year is also helping to increase support to foodbanks and other frontline services tackling inequality. Yet, for all our combined efforts, it remains one of the biggest challenges of our times. There are 80,000 people in our city who are living on incomes below the poverty threshold, and they are hurtling towards another winter of money worries.

“Without additional urgent action, one in five children in this city – Scotland’s most affluent city – will continue to grow up in poverty. So, we have clear asks to Scottish and UK Governments on the support we need to meet the poverty targets we have set together. We also know there is much more we can do by working with local partners, so we’ll work on a refreshed partnership led programme to improve the impact of our work to prevent destitution.

“Next year will mark the mid-point between the publication of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission’s final report and our city’s target to end poverty by 2030. We must be more motivated than ever to take all steps necessary to give the very best future we can for Edinburgh’s children and young people.”

Fanette Genais, Fundraising Manager for Fresh Start, said: 

“Our food pantry and shop allows people to choose items they need and our starter packs help people who have been homeless and who don’t have many belongings to set up a new life, from white goods to bedding. I’m really pleased to see the new Regenerative Futures Fund set up and I’m looking forward to seeing it tackle poverty in our city. “