UK Government must heed Borders poverty report - Michale Moore

2.14.07pm GMT Mon 15th Dec 2008

Local MP Michael Moore has challenged the UK Government to acknowledge the seriousness of rural poverty and the need for new ways to tackle its causes.

Mr Moore’s call came after he attended the launch of the report by the Scottish Borders Poverty Commission on Monday.Michael Moore MP

While the focus of the report is aimed at Scottish Borders Council and other local agencies, Mr Moore believes that there are important recommendations for the Government, whom he thinks do not take rural poverty seriously enough.

Mr Moore said: “Poverty is an endemic problem in the Borders which has gone unrecognised by the Government for too long. This timely report provides both the statistical analysis and some solutions to enable both the Government and the Council to tackle the serious problems we face.

“But it also highlights the difficulties of obtaining information about poverty and securing a commitment to provide the necessary resources to tackle it.

“I have written to the Chancellor with a copy of the report and I have demanded an assurance that its recommendations will be acted upon.”