| Title |
East Ayrshire Anti-Poverty and Inequalities Strategy |
| Lead officer(s) |
Richard Grieveson |
| Telephone number |
richard.grieveson@east-ayrshire.gov.uk |
| Email address |
|
| Date summary created |
17 Sep 2025 |
| Date assessment completed |
17 Sep 2025 |
| Summary of policy aims |
The Anti-Poverty and Inequalities strategy aims to tackle the root causes and impacts of poverty across East Ayrshire, by reducing inequalities, lifting households out of poverty, supporting our children and young people affected by poverty and creating stronger, more resilient communities. The strategy seeks to ensure that all individuals, regardless of background or circumstance, have equal opportunities to thrive and live a life free from poverty and inequality. Objectives: Maximise Income - Reduce Financial Pressures - Better Access To Services - Support the Wellbeing and Development of children living in poverty - Enable their Learning and Achievement - Build Resilience in Children and Young People for the Future - Build a Healthy Workforce - Invest in Wellbeing Communities - Tackle Health Inequalities Intended Outcomes: Reduced number of households experiencing financial hardship and crisis - Increased proportion of families with sustained income from employment and social security - improved health, wellbeing and educational outcomes for children and young people living in low-income households - greater resilience and participation within communities, particularly among those most at risk of exclusion - more equitable access to services and opportunities across the area. Equality Outcomes: The strategy directly supports equality by addressing socio-economic disadvantage, which disproportionately affects groups with protected characteristics. |
| Key issues |
The intended equality outcomes include: Advancing equality of opportunity (particularly lone parents, disabled people, minority ethnic communities and women who are at greater risk of poverty) - Eliminating discrimination and barriers in service access - Fostering good relations by promoting inclusive communities and reducing stigma associated with poverty - Contributing to local equality outcomes set by EAC including ensuring equitable access to services |
| Summary of involvement with Groups |
A range of equality groups and communities of interest were engaged in the development of this strategy. There was a strong focus on capturing community feedback and lived experience to ensure those most affected by poverty and inequality shaped our priorities and objectives. Engagement with elected member representatives, community groups, third sector organisations, targeted outreach groups, a community development session and community networks ensured the strategy was informed by diverse perspectives and experiences. Their contributions shaped the focus on reducing stigma, improving accessibility and targeting support where it will have the greatest impact. Ongoing participation structures are built into the strategy to ensure continuous feedback and improvement. This strategy was designed and developed using a large array of national and local evidence as previously outlined in Section We will continue to review and keep abreast of any new national and/or local evidence to ensure our strategy remains relevant and aligned to the national landscape and local need. |
| Key recommendations |
The Anti-Poverty Strategy is explicitly intended to increase equality of opportunity by addressing socio-economic disadvantage and removing barriers that prevent individuals and families from participating fully in society. The strategy targets resources and interventions towards groups in poverty or most at risk of poverty and promotes initiatives to create equity in opportunity and enable those living in poverty and/or experiencing inequalities to access services, training, education and work. It further seeks to reduce inequalities in health and wellbeing outcomes by investing in prevention measures, early intervention and community resilience. |