POLITICAL groups in Dumfries and Galloway have been challenged to make tackling poverty a priority in their budget plans this month.
Conservatives, Labour, and SNP are working on their proposals for spending the public pound wisely in the region in 2025/26, writes Marc McLean.
A special budget meeting will take place at the end of this month where they will lay out their spending plans, and councillors will then vote on which budget to take forward.
Last year, a total of £1.827m went towards the cost of living crisis and funding 17 different anti-poverty projects.
However, this was a reduction on the £1.997m allocated the previous year.
Stranraer and the Rhins Councillor Willie Scobie, a member of the small Independent Alliance Group, insisted that the big three parties should increase the amount of money earmarked for tackling poverty next year.
Speaking at the council’s tackling poverty, inequalities, and housing sub committee last week, he said: “It’s very difficult – if we are really serious about tackling poverty in Dumfries and Galloway – to see how we could reduce funding.
“If there are financial resources available, we should be looking to increase those and build on the projects that are already in existence.”
