The declaration of a Poverty Emergency is a vital step in helping South Lakeland District Council tackle the root causes of poverty and inequalities in the area.
That was the unanimous view of councillors at a full meeting of South Lakeland District Council, who believe it will help the council support those living in poverty and put measures in place to stop others on the cusp from falling into severe financial hardship.
The declaration will see the likely launch of a Poverty Truth Commission, which would involve discussions between those who live in poverty and civic leaders to help the latter better understand the experience and needs of those who are struggling financially.
This week SLDC passed a motion put forward by Cllr Suzie Pye, the council’s Health, Wellbeing and Financial Resilience Portfolio Holder, to declare a Poverty Emergency and explore the feasibility of setting up a Poverty Truth Commission. The motion was seconded by Cllr Mark Wilson, leader of the Labour group on the district council.
Cllr Pye referred to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the area. “South Lakeland has been disproportionately hard hit in terms of furloughed workers due to our reliance on the tourism and hospitality sector,” she said.
“We have seen a surge in numbers of families relying on food banks and similar food provision in our communities. Forty two per cent of eligible jobs have been furloughed, and the job retention scheme is due to end this month.”
She said the council would work through the South Lakeland-led Building Financial Resilience group, in partnership with other district councils, Cumbria County Council and other bodies.
“We will look firstly at how we can be responsive to those who are experiencing a lived experience of poverty right now,” said Cllr Pye. “And secondly, we will look to put things in place to stop those who are on the cusp of experiencing financial hardship in the future, from falling further.”
A Poverty Truth Commission would create an open dialogue between those who understood poverty by living it, and those who knew it from a governmental, civic or statutory point of view.
“With the best will in the world, the political infrastructure we are confined to can become so disengaged from everyday life, that we are in danger of sitting in comfy meeting rooms (albeit virtually), and making decisions in good faith which will potentially impact hugely on people’s lives – without really ever asking those people for their input.”
Cllr Pye commented that it was vital to remove the stigma surrounding poverty.
Her motion was welcomed by Cllr Archibald, the Leader of SLDC, who said poverty was a problem in the district.
“We have just learned that Kings Food Bank in Kendal supplied 24,329 meals in the past nine months – a staggering 21 per cent increase over last year, which itself was well up on the prior year.”
He said that, sadly, there was a clear correlation between the spread of the Covid-19 virus and living conditions. Those in poverty in cramped living conditions were more likely to contract the virus.
“I believe it is our duty as councillors to protect and help in any way we can the most vulnerable in our society. Particularly at this moment of crisis.
“To declare a poverty emergency is to show clearly the importance that we attach to the well-being of our neighbours.
“But we don’t know all the answers. It will be highly instructive and helpful for us to conduct the Poverty Truth Commission so that we can fully understand the difficulties people are undergoing and try to affect the appropriate remedy, be that directly or by influencing others like the county and central government, who have greater resources than ourselves.”
