Aberdeen councillors have welcomed the important contributions being made to tackle poverty and inequality across the city, highlighting the value of collaboration in shaping local priorities and support measures. The council said that joint efforts are helping guide action on issues such as cost-of-living support, stronger local partnerships, and ensuring that people with lived experience are actively involved in decision-making processes.
A key focus of the committee’s recognition is a recently commissioned study by the Scottish Women’s Budget Group, which was developed with input from a steering group of local women. The study examines the links between gender inequality and poverty in Aberdeen, bringing attention to the everyday barriers women in the city continue to face.
According to the group, women in Aberdeen are still affected by a range of challenges, including caring responsibilities, transport difficulties, housing pressures, and wider economic inequality. The steering group stressed the importance of making sure these lived experiences are not just acknowledged, but used to shape practical and meaningful policy responses that improve the lives of women and families.
The findings and recommendations from the study will help inform the council’s future actions, alongside broader work already underway. This includes evidence collected directly from residents on how to improve access to money advice and support services, which is expected to strengthen the council’s anti-poverty response and make local assistance more accessible.
The committee’s external advisory network includes representatives from the third sector, public health, further and higher education, residents with lived experience, and community interest groups such as Food Poverty Action Aberdeen. Community Planning Aberdeen also plays a role in supporting wider engagement and linking this work to broader city improvement plans.
By drawing on both community voices and the expertise of a wide range of organizations, the committee says it will continue working closely with partners to ensure that its approach to tackling poverty and inequality remains inclusive and informed. This ongoing collaboration is intended to make sure that policies are shaped by those most affected, while also reflecting the knowledge and experience of local organizations focused on equality and community wellbeing.
