Hundreds of single-parent families across Glasgow struggling to cope with the “unprecedented” financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic have been given vital support thanks to efforts by the city council and a Scottish charity challenging poverty.
Since April this year the local authority have supported 244 single parents with the help of One Parent Family Scotland Project who campaigns to change the systems, policies and attitudes that disadvantage single parent families.
Together the council and the organisation have been working to help every family in need.
The issue was discussed at a recent committee meeting, and Gena Howe, lead for child poverty in Glasgow, said: “We started the One Parent Family Scotland project in April this year.
“We are working in partnership with them to understand the scenes that are emerging for the families they are supporting.
“In the first two months of this project they have supported 244 single parents of which 97% were women leading the household.
“We have also helped 37 families manage £133,000 worth of debt. This has been a theme throughout the pandemic with more and more families needing help to manage their debt.
“There’s also been 12 families granted a holiday in Scotland to build relationships and help mental health.”
The local authority is continuing its work to tackle child poverty across Glasgow and meet the Scottish Government’s 2030 target to cut poverty by half.
City treasurer, councillor Ricky Bell, said: “This pandemic has undoubtedly presented unprecedented challenges for our families and service providers.
“We will continue to raise awareness of child poverty. Some progress has been made to reduce poverty but a lot more should be done to help families across Glasgow.”
