Increasing risk of poverty for women

During the Challenge Poverty Week, I heard about women’s experiences of trauma and suffering due to the Welfare Reforms and there is a need for the Council to take action to address the ongoing hardship facing women due to the changes to the Welfare State. It is vital that we acknowledge the gender impact of welfare reform and enable women to engage in discussions about the services they need to address the circumstances that they find themselves in. A recent report by Scottish Government on the impact of welfare reform confirms that women have been disproportionately affected by the measures brought in by the Coalition Government since 2010. On Thursday 31st October, I proposed this motion at a Full Council Meeting and it was agreed unanimously:-

Glasgow City Council welcomes the first Challenge Poverty Week from 13th - 17th October which brought together a wide range of groups and individuals to highlight what is being done to tackle poverty and build momentum for increased action.

Council acknowledges that women may be at increased risk of poverty compared to men, and can experience recurring, long term poverty. In Glasgow , there is a disproportionate number of lone mothers in the most deprived neighbourhoods, as well as some black and minority ethnic women who may face a particularly high poverty risk.

Council notes that many of the welfare reforms have a larger impact on women, due to women’s roles as carers. As a consequence, poverty and social exclusion, especially amongst female single parents is expected to increase in Glasgow .

As part of Glasgow’s Action Plan for Change, the Council will do more to engage with women's organisations and individual women directly experiencing poverty, to identify:-

1. the impact of key policies implemented under the banner of Welfare Reform

2. areas in which it can mitigate the impact of the UK ’s welfare reform programme

3. gaps in support services for women affected by the welfare and tax reform policies.

Council agrees to support the development of dialogue with women's organisations to address the continuing challenges that women face in tackling poverty.