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Kirk's outrage as charity highlights plight of low income families struggle to meet soaring food costs

SOARING rises in food prices have pushed the minimum cost of living twice a fast as the rate of inflation over the past year, according to a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The charity, which introduced the concept of a minimum income standard in 2008, says it is more difficult now to live on a low income than it was last year.

According to the foundation a single adult with no children now need to earn at least £13,900 a year before tax to reach the minimum standard. A couple with two children are estimated to need a combined gross income of £27,600 annually.

The Kirk's Church and Society Council has been one of the most vocal campaigners for a living wage, highlighting the necessity for a living wage in reports to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 2008 and in May of this year.

Rev Ian Galloway, Convener of the Kirk's Church and Society Council said: "These figures from the Rowntree Foundation just emphasis the very reason why we have been campaigning for a living wage. When a family can barely get by and struggle to put food on the table for their children there has to be something fundamentally wrong in our society to allow this to happen.

"Low pay remains a very real problem for hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland. The national minimum wage has helped to outlaw blatant exploitation and the tax credit system has helped boost the pay of thousands of low paid workers. But despite this, we still know of those earning less than £285 a week.

"The existence of so many low paid jobs traps individuals and families in poverty, denying the opportunities and choices that should be for everyone in a country as wealthy as Scotland."

Ends.

Note to News Desks

Contact Rev Ian Galloway, Convenor of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland on 07753 686 603 or alternatively contact the Kirk's Senior Media Relations Officer, Nick Jury on 0131 240 2268 or email njury@cofscotland.org.uk

nr/53/07/2009

Wednesday 1, July 2009

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