Letter: Poverty's a reality

Tom Miers is absolutely right to highlight the powers the Scottish Parliament must deploy to tackle poverty (Comment, 3 September).

But he is wrong to suggest that that poverty is somehow "artificial" or unrelated to the income inequality that scars our country.

The reality is that many parents struggle because their incomes are hopelessly inadequate. The purchase of even a fridge or TV, if they are not to be plunged into debt, is beyond them, despite Tom Miers' claim otherwise. Worse still, lack of money leaves many families unable to pay fuel, rent or grocery bills, never mind cover school trips or leisure activities. The powers of Holyrood must therefore be harnessed to boost incomes by tackling the low pay, job insecurity and lack of childcare that too often undermine work as a route out of poverty.

At the same time government in Scotland must ensure families get the advice they need to access the benefits and tax credits that they are entitled to. Only by ensuring every family has an adequate income can we tackle wider inequalities and social ills.

John Dickie

Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland

Duke Street

Glasgow