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| Joseph Rowntree study warns of Scots still in poverty by 2025 | Joseph Rowntree study warns of Scots still in poverty by 2025 |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| One in seven working-age adults and children could still be living below the poverty line by the mid-2020s, according to a new study. | One in seven working-age adults and children could still be living below the poverty line by the mid-2020s, according to a new study. |
| The research, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looked at the economic challenge Scotland would face even with a much higher employment rate than now. | The research, from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looked at the economic challenge Scotland would face even with a much higher employment rate than now. |
| It projected employment could rise from 73.5% to 80% by 2025. | |
| But it said lower pay and fewer working hours could still see hundreds of thousands of people trapped in poverty. | But it said lower pay and fewer working hours could still see hundreds of thousands of people trapped in poverty. |
| The findings were set out in the third and final referendum briefing written by the New Policy Institute (NPI) and published by JRF. | The findings were set out in the third and final referendum briefing written by the New Policy Institute (NPI) and published by JRF. |
| Report co-author Dr Peter Kenway said: "Post-referendum Scotland must avoid replacing a problem of material deprivation with one of inflexible services and a lack of time. | Report co-author Dr Peter Kenway said: "Post-referendum Scotland must avoid replacing a problem of material deprivation with one of inflexible services and a lack of time. |
| "Families short of cash are often short on time as well. | "Families short of cash are often short on time as well. |
| "Both sides of the independence campaign have to address the long-term challenges faced by struggling families of finding secure work that pays sufficiently." | "Both sides of the independence campaign have to address the long-term challenges faced by struggling families of finding secure work that pays sufficiently." |
| Working hours | Working hours |
| Researchers looked at the impact of an increase in jobs, depending on whether they were full or part-time. | Researchers looked at the impact of an increase in jobs, depending on whether they were full or part-time. |
| They found that if an 80% employment rate was reached by the creation of only part-time jobs, poverty among working age adults and children could fall from 800,000 (19.4%) to 670,000 (16.2%). | They found that if an 80% employment rate was reached by the creation of only part-time jobs, poverty among working age adults and children could fall from 800,000 (19.4%) to 670,000 (16.2%). |
| If most of those extra jobs were full-time, the number in poverty would fall further to 600,000 (14.6%). | If most of those extra jobs were full-time, the number in poverty would fall further to 600,000 (14.6%). |
| Jim McCormick, Scotland adviser to JRF, said: "These scenarios highlight the challenges that Scotland must meet if poverty rates are to decrease. | Jim McCormick, Scotland adviser to JRF, said: "These scenarios highlight the challenges that Scotland must meet if poverty rates are to decrease. |
| "Much higher employment would cut poverty, but jobs alone will not eliminate it while low pay and inadequate working hours remain so widespread. | "Much higher employment would cut poverty, but jobs alone will not eliminate it while low pay and inadequate working hours remain so widespread. |
| "We need to ensure work pays enough to be a route out of poverty. | "We need to ensure work pays enough to be a route out of poverty. |
| "Working more hours is only part of the answer. Housing costs, rates of pay and the tax, tax credit and benefit systems are all implicated." | "Working more hours is only part of the answer. Housing costs, rates of pay and the tax, tax credit and benefit systems are all implicated." |
| John Dickie, head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "This report makes absolutely clear that increased employment is in itself not enough to end the shocking level of poverty that blights the lives of too many children across Scotland. | John Dickie, head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "This report makes absolutely clear that increased employment is in itself not enough to end the shocking level of poverty that blights the lives of too many children across Scotland. |
| "Whatever the outcome of the referendum, action is needed to make work pay and give families access to affordable, flexible childcare. But we also need a new approach to social security and to invest more in universal child benefit and the other supports that families in and out of work all need to give their children a decent start in life." | "Whatever the outcome of the referendum, action is needed to make work pay and give families access to affordable, flexible childcare. But we also need a new approach to social security and to invest more in universal child benefit and the other supports that families in and out of work all need to give their children a decent start in life." |