The First Minister was in Kilmarnock this morning to see the work being done to combat inequality.
John Swinney visited Kilmarnock this morning (Tuesday, October 8) ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament as part of Challenge Poverty Week.
Performing arts charity CentreStage hosted the First Minister’s visit as the Scottish Government announced projects to benefit from the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund.
Mr. Swinney spoke with staff, kids, and young people from the Unlikely Lads singing group, the Connect program, and some of the partners engaged in the CentreStage Village during his visit.
Tackling child poverty has become a central pledge of Mr Swinney’s leadership after his election as First Minister earlier this year.
Both East and North Ayrshire are included in the planned expansion of place‑based Fairer Futures Partnerships which support “innovative, local approaches to joined‑up services that improve family wellbeing, maximise incomes and support people into work”.
During his visit, Mr Swinney praised CentreStage and shared his admiration for the charity.
He said: “I think organisations like CentreStage play a very significant role in eradicating child poverty. One of the reasons I wanted to come here was that I have, for a long time, admired the focus in East Ayrshire on individuals – putting people right at the centre of policy and changing lives.
“There have been a lot of good examples of that in East Ayrshire. CentreStage is a really fascinating collaboration of local communities supported by the local authority, supported by the Scottish Government and supported by private investment.
In my opinion, that embodies the fundamental principles of the government’s policy. If we place people at the center of all we do, we have the chance to significantly improve people’s lives.
“Creative education initiatives significantly contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty among young people. Hopefulness is a key component of many campaigns against poverty, and joy is always present in artistic, musical, and cultural endeavors.
“Encouraging people to have aspirations about their contribution to society is fundamental to ensuring that they are focused, joyful, and purposeful—and it’s an exciting prospect to pursue.”
Following recent announcements that the three Ayrshire councils are set to cut tens of millions from their budgets next year, Mr Swinney addressed the situation.
He said: “There are really acute financial challenges but what I have committed to is to working with local government to maximise the resources that are available to support local developments and initiatives that can have a profound impact on people’s lives.”
Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council, met with Mr Swinney during his visit. Cllr Reid said: “In East Ayrshire, we recognise that the challenges of addressing poverty and inequality require the combined efforts of a whole range of partners.
“We are therefore delighted to be one of five new Fairer Future Partnerships and look forward to working with the Scottish Government and our partners, including the third sector, to advance local, innovative approaches that reduce child poverty through improving wellbeing, maximising incomes and supporting people into work.
“As a council we have already committed £40 million to be spent over the next 10 years in support of change, prevention and early intervention, reflecting our commitment to tackling poverty and increasing fairness in our communities.”
Challenge Poverty Week is a Poverty Alliance initiative which takes place annually in October to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland.
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