A study by Citizens Advice Scotland has shown the extent of in-work poverty
More than a third of working Scots worry about putting food on the table.
The Bringing Food to the Table report from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is based on survey responses from 2,651 people across Scotland.
Of the 45% of respondents who said they were in full or part-time employment, 40% said they worry about food running out before there is money to buy more and 35% said they struggled to afford to eat balanced meals.
The study also found 29% of those in work have had to cut down or skip meals because there isn’t enough money for the food they needed to buy.
CAS Chief Executive Derek Mitchell said the report showed the extent of in-work poverty in Scotland.
He said: “This study shows that many working people in Scotland are struggling to afford to buy food, and in 2018 this is simply unacceptable. For some people going hungry is the norm – that’s just not right.
“I am shocked at some of the figures this piece of work has uncovered. There is an assumption that people in Scotland, especially those in work, would have access to food and be able to afford it, but this research shows that this is not the case. In-work poverty is a major issue which this new piece of research clearly illuminates.”
When looking at all responses (working and not working) the report found more than a fifth of all respondents (21%) had gone a whole day without eating because they did not have enough money for food.
Responding to the report, Aberlour chief executive SallyAnn Kelly said the findings were unsurprising.
She said: "Sadly, these are the stories I hear from individuals and families that we work with every day. In the last 12 months, applications to Aberlour Children’s Charity’s Urgent Assistance Fund, which provides cash grants for people in urgent need of financial assistance across the country, rose by more than 80%. As such, we have given out double the amount of money to people in crisis to help them buy everyday essential items such as food and basic clothing."
Kelly said the charity is pushing the Scottish Government to include a family income supplement in its upcoming budget, rather in three or four years' time as planned.
She added: Poverty is a political decision and as inequalities in income continue to deepen, Scotland needs a budget that provides more money for low income households. No one should be forced to reduce or skip meals because they cannot afford basic food items."
