Local Government leaders have issued a clear call for change with the publication of a new white paper, ‘Scotland's Approach to Tackling Poverty: Local Action to National Outcomes’, part of a wider series being launched in advance of the Scottish Parliament election.
Councils across Scotland are playing a vital role every day in tackling poverty and supporting communities, but a stronger national focus on prevention is now needed to deliver lasting change.
The paper sets out how local government is already helping to address the impacts of poverty through action on the housing emergency, delivering free school meals and funded early learning and childcare, supporting households affected by in-work poverty, and helping people overcome barriers such as a lack of affordable transport.
However, it argues that there is now an opportunity to shift decisively from responding to the consequences of poverty to preventing it in the first place.
It calls for a better balance between universal provision and targeted intervention, with funding redirected to ensure everyone can access vital support, while providing additional help for those who need it most to close outcome gaps.
The paper also highlights the importance of more flexible and sustainable funding for local government. This would allow councils to plan for the long term, invest in preventative approaches, and build on the essential work they already undertake every day in communities across Scotland.
COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson, Cllr Maureen Chalmers, said:
“Local Government is at the frontline of tackling poverty; every day we are working to boost incomes and minimise costs for our communities.
“Together, the steps we are proposing today can move Scotland from mitigating poverty to preventing it.”
COSLA Children and Young Person Spokesperson, Cllr Tony Buchanan, said:
“We’re calling for whole‑family, community‑centred support, a balance between universal and targeted provision, and flexible long‑term funding so councils can build on the vital work they already undertake to tackle poverty in their communities.
“This white paper provides a new framework for delivering meaningful change and reducing poverty for the long term.”
Notes to editors
COSLA serves as the representative voice of Scottish Local Government. COSLA spokespersons do not operate on a party-political basis; instead, they represent the collective views of Scottish Local Government.
White Papers are designed to influence the thinking of all political parties in the lead-up to the Scottish Parliament election. They bring together previously agreed, cross-party COSLA policy positions on specific issues.
30th April 2026
