This annual event, led by the Poverty Alliance, is centred around the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, which takes place on 17th October. The main aims of the week are to:

• highlight the reality of poverty and challenge the stereotypes that exist about it
• demonstrate what is being done across Scotland to address poverty
• increase public support for more action to combat poverty.

During Challenge Poverty Week this year we published new research from the GoWell learning and research programme and the Cost of the School Day project.

GoWell - Food bank use among residents of Glasgow’s deprived neighbourhoods

The growth of food banks within the UK has been a very high profile issue over the past few years. This new briefing paper provides the first known analysis of a self-reported measure of food bank use in the UK and details the scale of food bank use among residents of Glasgow’s deprived neighbourhoods. Our infographic highlights the key findings from the paper. 

Cost of the School Day

Our new briefing paper builds on findings from the Cost of the School Day project and looks at wider evidence to consider what actions could reduce costs throughout the school day for families on low income.  

We also have a guest blog from Marion Fairweather of CPAG Scotland, discussing the value of working together with stakeholders and using a whole-school approach to reducing the cost of the school day.

Poverty, disadvantage and the economy

We have also recently updated and refreshed our information on the Poverty, disadvantage and the economy theme of research.