This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Delivering social justice for scotland
22/03/2001
Tackling child poverty, the drive for full employment and the record investment in public services is delivering social justice in Scotland Social Justice Minister Jackie Baillie said today.
Speaking at the COSLA annual conference the Minister set out the government's achievements so far, including:
- 100,000 children being lifted out of poverty;
- a free nursery place for all four year olds and nearly 70% of three year olds;
- 40,000 extra student places;
- the lowest unemployment for a quarter of a century;
- the highest number of jobs in Scotland for over 40 years; and
- installation of free central heating for every pensioner within five years.
Ms Baillie said:
"This government has accepted the political responsibility for breaking the long-term cycles of deprivation and disadvantage to prevent poverty. We have a duty to deliver for Scotland's most excluded and marginalised people. This is a moral and an economic imperative.
"By targeting poverty and injustice in each phase of our lifecycle, we can stop deprivation becoming a way of life and being passed through the generations. By targeting each stage we can improve the transitions - from birth to school, school to work, and work into a secure and dignified old age.
"Devolution has given us the opportunity to develop clear policies in areas that matter - including enterprise, health and housing. And these are playing a fundamental role in improving delivery and reaching the excluded."
The Minister stressed that to tackle the most excluded in Scottish society, working with local authorities was key. She said:
"The Executive cannot deliver social justice on its own. We need the contribution, enthusiasm and commitment of local authorities to build a Scotland we can all be proud of."
Ms Baillie gave as an example the establishment of the Better Neighbourhood Service Fund which will target the poorest communities. She said:
"This Fund will make additional resources available to our poorest communities. Its aim is to deliver better joined up services and real change in our most disadvantaged people's lives.
BACKGROUND
A copy of Jackie Baillie's speech is available from the Scottish Executive Press Office on 0131 244 2960.
News Release: SE0758/2001
22 Mar 2001