Big Issue’s statutory poverty reduction targets campaign backed by Scotland’s First Minister

A CAMPAIGN for Sir Keir Starmer’s government to set legally binding poverty reduction targets has been backed by Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

In the latest edition of the Big Issue, Mr Swinney urges ministers to follow Scotland’s example and introduce statutory targets.

The magazine is calling for a poverty-zero law, which would force every government to set legally binding targets to reduce poverty, similar to what has been done in pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions.

Members of the public are encouraged to back the campaign by signing up to the Big Issue’s membership scheme.

Mr Swinney said that statutory targets require “focused action” and have in Scotland put “a discipline on the thinking of government to achieve its objectives.”

He added: “We’ve got some tough decisions, which I think will be made tougher by the fact the Labour government’s not going to desert austerity.”

A government spokesman said: “Our immediate priority is to fix the foundations of our economy, so we can deliver growth and rebuild Britain to make every part of the country better off.”

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