Monday, April 10, 2006

[UK] Scottish unions urge poverty focus

from Yahoo News

Scottish unions have urged ministers in London and Edinburgh to step up their efforts to reduce poverty.

The call came as the Scottish TUC began its annual conference in Perth.

In his keynote address John Keenan, STUC president, warned that "far too many people still live in poverty and thousands and thousands more live within its shadow".

He warned they were "relying on inadequate benefits administered by a system creaking at the seams".

"And whilst absolute poverty has fallen, inequality is on the rise," said Keenan.

"The share of wealth owned by the top 10 per cent in society has actually risen over the past decade.

"In the workplace, only the United States has a greater gulf between directors pay and the pay of the average worker.

"And, despite the 'make poverty history' pledges, world inequality is rising rather than falling."

He added, however, that Labour had delivered a "massive reduction in unemployment, bringing new hope for so many in our deprived communities".

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