The East Lothian Partnership (ELP) believe everyone in East Lothian deserves to live a life free from poverty. We will strive to make sure that people have the opportunities and support needed for long term financial stability, and be able to afford a decent standard of living.
Poverty is about more than a simple lack of money. It is forced upon people through complex circumstances. Poverty has a significant, negative impact on people’s wellbeing, confidence, and sense of worth.
Poverty is never a choice. It is a human rights issue. People have a right to an adequate standard of living, to feel included and able to participate in their community.

Download the East Lothian Partnership Poverty Plan 2024-28

Jobs and opportunity graphic

Good quality jobs that pay fairly

Where we support people to gain the skills and training needed to find and maintain work, in secure, flexible jobs that pay fairly

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Enough money from benefits

Our social security system should provide people with a fair income, but millions of pounds go unclaimed each year. We will support people to claim the income that they are entitled to and provide support with the cost of living.

Quality of life graphic

A good life with access to the essentials

Housing, good health, quality food and a resilient community are part of our human rights. We will take a preventative approach to homelessness, hunger and health inequalities caused by poverty.

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Climate change ready

Climate change will impact vulnerable and low-income communities the hardest. We will take preventative action to protect and support these communities from the effects of climate change.

Outcomes

The way we will work will promote these outcomes:

  • making sure that poverty is everybody’s business, and that actions to tackle poverty are part of every service plan. We will make sure that those making budget decisions understand how poverty affects people in East Lothian.
  • working in a way that is person-centred and stigma- and trauma-informed. We have heard very clearly that stigma is preventing people from reaching out for support. We will make sure that our services are approachable, discreet and offer dignity and choice. We will help our workforce understand the impact of trauma and poverty.
  • working effectively as a partnership, we will build on our existing strong partnership in East Lothian. We will share resources and knowledge more effectively, using shared data to identify tailored solutions, and work towards a collective vision for East Lothian.

This will be underpinned by specific improvements we need to make to our current ways of working.