Moray Council aims to combat rural poverty.

Moray Council is stepping up its efforts to combat poverty, which is on the rise in the region at a faster rate than anywhere else in Scotland.

Currently, Moray is ranked 14th out of 32 local authorities in Scotland for poverty levels, with 1 being the highest level. Between 2014 and 2022, there was a 3.2% increase in children living in poverty in Moray, bringing the total to 24.1%. This rise is higher than the national average increase of 2.9%.

Various factors contribute to poverty levels in Moray, with one significant factor being the low-wage economy in the region. As a result, Moray is less equipped to handle the rising cost of living compared to other areas in Scotland.

Statistics show that the average gross full-time hourly pay in Moray in 2023 was £15.94, which is notably lower than the Scottish average of £18.10. This places Moray at the 28th spot out of 32 Scottish Local Authorities in terms of hourly pay. However, female full-time workers in Moray earn more per hour (£16.09) than their male counterparts (£15.55).

When looking at weekly wage data, the average working week for employed individuals in Moray is 40.6 hours, higher than the Scottish average of 38.8 hours per week. Despite working longer hours, the average full-time weekly pay in Moray stands at £647.20, falling short of the national average of £702.80.

Earlier this year, Moray Council revised its Corporate Plan to give priority to addressing poverty and inequality in the region. This decision followed feedback from public consultations, which indicated a strong desire for the council to focus on reducing child poverty and addressing income, health, and education disparities.

The strategy to alleviate poverty in Moray includes promoting collaboration between services like childcare, transportation, and housing; expanding options for wrap-around childcare; enhancing educational attainment; increasing youth engagement initiatives; and providing comprehensive income support advice and guidance.

Commenting on the issue after a discussion at the Moray Council Corporate Committee, committee chair Cllr Bridget Mustard stated, “The public has clearly expressed that tackling poverty and inequality in Moray is a top priority, and we are aligning our efforts accordingly.

“However, addressing this challenge requires collective action, and we must seize opportunities to collaborate with businesses, organizations, and community groups in Moray to reduce poverty levels in our region.

“The recently reconvened Fairer Moray Forum will present recommendations to the Community Planning Board on a collaborative approach to combatting poverty. I am confident that my fellow councillors and council officers are committed to making a positive impact on these figures to enhance the well-being of children and all residents of Moray.”