Fife Council is taking the opportunity to highlight what help is available to anyone who may be struggling with the cost-of-living crisis as part of Scotland’s annual ‘Challenge Poverty Week’, which kicks off today (Monday 7 October).  

Poverty continues to affect many people across the Kingdom. As of August 2024, there are 33,784 low-income households in Fife, 54% are in relative poverty (living below the poverty line of less than 60% of median UK household income)¹. Latest figures show that 18,711 or 26% of children across Fife are living in poverty², but help is available, and not just for this week, but throughout the year.

Fife Council Leader, Councillor David Ross said: “Sadly poverty isn’t something new and continues to restrict people’s lives in hundreds of different ways.

“For over a decade, Fife Council has been, and continues to be, committed to making Fife fairer for everyone by getting help to those who need it.

“But as well as supporting people in a crisis, we also want to focus on prevention, by proactively reaching out to those in need or at risk and helping to break the poverty spiral.

“This links to our community wealth building approach that aims to keep wealth and opportunities within local communities to benefit local people.

“I would urge anyone who needs help to visit Our Fife community website at our.fife.scot/gethelp This gives every Fifer easy access to practical information and support all in one place. For anyone who isn’t online we also have our community support line which is available on 0800 952 0330.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Fife Council is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”