Poverty in Scotland 2026 launch event
The launch of this year's independent, annual state of the nation report which sets out the nature and scale of poverty in Scotland.
Councils are critical in the mission to ending child poverty. They have clear responsibilities and significant opportunities to tackle poverty through the design and delivery of services. But they cannot do this alone. Sustainable progress also requires fairer local funding and the resources to match ambition.
This is a timely opportunity to consider how local and national leaders can turn public concern into visible, practical action and help rebuild confidence that public services work for everyone.
More about this event
At the event we will share the latest findings on poverty in Scotland and discuss the vital role local government can play in preventing and reducing it. We'll bring new evidence on the scale of poverty together with fresh polling on public attitudes towards their councils and local public services. The event will explore how national and local government can work together to build the fairer, more responsive services people need.
Our speakers
As CEO of Fife Gingerbread, Laura is passionate about creating a Fife where every family has the opportunity to flourish. The organisation now supports around 850 families every year with a vision to create better todays and brighter tomorrows for lone parents and families, changing the trajectory for children and young people growing up in poverty. Laura has led the organisation through a period of growth and transformation, strengthening Fife Gingerbread's voice and influence in shaping both local and national policy and practice. Recognising that all too often systems designed to support families are trapping them in poverty. The organisation is championing innovative approaches that place lived experience at the heart of change. This has led to exciting new national partnerships with a aspiration to scale test & demonstration projects beyond Fife, including work around child homelessness, lone parent positive workplaces and child maintenance.
Councillor Mark Flynn has represented the Coldside ward of Dundee since 2017 and served as Leader of Dundee City Council since September 2024. He is also a board member of NHS Tayside. He has previously been Convener of the City Council’s Neighbourhood Regeneration, Housing and Estate Management Committee and City Development Committee. Councillor Flynn has led policymaking in a number of high-profile areas addressing poverty and inequalities, including efforts to tackle the housing crisis, creating sustainable employment through economic development and championing community wealth building.
Kezia is a Professor of Practice in Public Service at University of Glasgow and the Associate Director of the Centre for Public Policy. She previously served as a Member for the Scottish Parliament for the Lothian region from 2011 to 2019, which included two years as Leader of the Scottish Labour Party. After leaving Parliament, she was Director of the John Smith Centre which was focused on engaging young people in politics and the political process. Beyond her working life, Kezia is a trustee of Shelter where she chairs Shelter Scotland, a role that she'll leave, after 6 years service, to join Stonewall in September 2026. She is also a member of the Oversight Board of “The Promise” and a Director of the Electoral Reform Society.
Peter has been involved in campaigning for progressive social change for more than 30 years, both personally and professionally. He’s committed to supporting the development of civil society in Scotland, and to ensuring that grassroots organisations and people who experience poverty are actively involved in campaigning for change.
He has been Director and now Chief Executive of the Poverty Alliance since 2004. Over that time, he has overseen the development and growth of the Poverty Alliance network, helping to launch important campaigns and initiatives including the Scottish Living Wage Campaign, Challenge Poverty Week and the Scottish Campaign on Welfare Reform.
Peter has represented the Alliance in a variety of forums and networks, including serving as Vice President of the European Anti-Poverty Network from 2012 to 2018. He is currently Vice Convenor of Homeless Network Scotland and a member of the Living Wage Foundation’s Advisory Council, and sits on the National Suicide Prevention Advisory Group, the Scottish Government’s Minimum Income Guarantee Expert Group and the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Programme Board.
Educated at Kirkcaldy High School, Ms Somerville then graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a BA (Hons) in Economics and Politics (1996), followed by a Diploma in Housing Studies at the University of Stirling and a Diploma in Public Relations from Queen Margaret University College.
She has worked as a parliamentary researcher, a Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing, and as a Media and Campaigns Officer at the Royal College of Nursing.
Ms Somerville was previously an MSP for the Lothians region from 2007 to 2011, and returned to the Scottish Parliament in 2016 as MSP for Dunfermline. She was previously Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, and was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People in June 2018. She was Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills until March 2023, when she was appointed Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
Who is this event for?
This event is open to everyone, including:
- policymakers
- those working in councils
- advocates for social change
- anyone interested in or working in tackling poverty in Scotland.