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Campaigners call for a “just Scotland”

This news post is over 9 years old
 

Thousands of trade unionists and anti-poverty activists have called on Scots to join force for a “just Scotland” whatever side of the political divide they’re on.

Campaigners made the call as they assembled on Saturday in Glasgow’s George Square, as Challenge Poverty Week culminated.

Organisers said the event was "at the heart of the battle against austerity and tackling inequality".

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), which organised the demonstration, called for a living wage, claiming that pay has fallen in real terms since 2008.

Police estimated that about 3,500 people attended the event with rallies also taking place in Belfast and London.

STUC general secretary Grahame Smith said: "The referendum campaign showed the appetite that exists in Scotland for tackling poverty, for fairer wages and against austerity.

We must not lose sight of the practical solutions to combating poverty - Grahame Smith

"As the debate over future powers for the Scottish Parliament continues, we must not lose sight of the practical solutions to combating poverty - fair pay and working conditions, a living wage, decent housing and combating fuel poverty.

"It is only right that we should continue to explore how the Scottish Parliament can best be empowered to promote social justice, but it is equally important that we act now."

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, added: "The march and rally is a fitting culmination to a week in which we have highlighted that more than 800,000 people in Scotland live in low income households.

"In a rich country like ours, this is unnecessary and unacceptable."