Endorsement of the Stick Your Labels Pledges by Dundee City Council

Click on image to read the pledges more clearly

Yesterday lunchtime, I met Peter Kelly, the Director of The Poverty Alliance who was in Dundee to promote involvement in the Alliance's 'Stick your Labels; Challenge the Stigma of Poverty' campaign.

As a Councillor and Fairness Commissioner, I was pleased to join the Leader of the Administration, Councillor Guild and Councillor Sawers in City Square to symbolically sign the organisational pledges (see above) on behalf of Dundee City Council.

I hope that the Fairness Commission that the Council has established will help the Council and partner organisations to set out clearly our practical contributions towards tackling Poverty in Dundee. In addition that the way we respond to poverty in our city does not stigmatise those people living on the lowest incomes. Finally I think we should be more robust in challenging the negative stereotypes applied to people experiencing poverty and which tend to blame those folk for their situation. This campaign is, I believe, much needed.

Commenting on the First Day of the Poverty Assembly on Thursday

3rd Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty 15 and 16 March

On Thursday I shall be attending the 3rd Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty held in Glasgow. The Assembly will bring together community groups, voluntary organisations, policy makers and politicians, faith groups, trade unionists, academics - all those looking for the ideas and the actions to create a fairer Scotland. 
I have decided to attend the conference theme on tackling Fuel Poverty which I think is an important issue for many households in Broughty Ferry.
For those that are concerned by their Councillors racking up expenses from their Council Tax, let me reassure constituents that there is no conference fee and I will be travelling through to the conference at my own expense.
The Poverty Alliance organisers advise that the event is fully booked, but you can watch the live stream of the plenary sessions on the 15th and 16th of March. These will start at 10.30 (GMT) each morning. To watch the live stream click on this link.
And if you are on twitter, then you can contribute your comments and questions by using the hashtag #povertyassembly. Click on this link to the Poverty Alliance twitter channel. 
Their social reporters will also be giving updates throughout the two days of the Assembly, and you will be able to see the views of participants at their YouTube Channel, and hear them at Sound Cloud.