Scottish Catholic Observer

The Catholic group Justice and Peace Scotland are urging the Faithful to contact their MP and MSP to bring an end to ‘comfortable myths about poverty.’

A report recently published by Church Action on Poverty ‘lays bare six myths about the poor which enable the majority to live with the comfortable assumption that both poverty and wealth are deserved.’

“It is important because it shows that common myths about poverty are demonstrably untrue—yet they underpin much thinking about poverty in the UK,” the report’s publishers said. “These myths have allowed vulnerable families to be blamed for their poverty, and they pollute the debate around poverty and welfare.

“For example, the ugly rhetoric of ‘skivers’ and ‘shirkers’ implies that all those in receipt of benefits are lazy; yet the majority of children and families who experience poverty do so despite being in paid employment.”

A copy of the new report has been sent to every MP and MSP in the UK.

Churchgoers are now being encouraged to contact their MP and MSP to highlight the importance of tackling poverty.

There are 13 million people in poverty in the UK today, including 3.6 million children, and that number is expected to rise for the rest of the decade.

—To find out more about the new report and how to contact your MP or MSP, visit the website: http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/truthandlies

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