A CHARITY seeking to fight poverty in Scotland has pledged to stand up for those affected in rural areas.

A councillor raised concerns about the Scottish Government’s decision to reduce budgets for registered social landlords to adapt homes.

Speaking at a community meeting for Bute and Cowal, a spokesperson for The Poverty Alliance said that they were “keen” to understand how residents in rural areas are hit by poverty.

The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Bute and Cowal community planning group on Tuesday, November 5.

Councillor William Sinclair (Liberal Democrat, Cowal) said: “The Scottish Government has slashed the budgets for adaptations for registered social landlords.

“This is going to get really bad. I currently have a case where the constituent has been told it could be 18 months before they are looked at. They do not know where they will be in 18 months’ time.

“These are significant issues, and this list is not a small one. I am really struggling with this, and I seem to be trying to get charities involved. How does that work with your organisation?”

Becky Hothersall, development officer for Argyll and Bute with The Poverty Alliance, responded: “I would say that we would be really keen to ensure we have a good understanding of these issues, particularly with us being rural, which has an impact on costs.

“A lot is to do with transport, but also the adaptations and the things people might need more than in other places.

“We do not have funding; we are a charity, but we can ensure we represent the case for what is different in rural areas. We are keen to know the examples of the extent to which people are facing hardship.

“I cannot necessarily promise an outcome where we can show people what has happened as a result of their stories, but we are keen to raise voices about these issues.

“Households with disabilities within them are at more risk of poverty, and we want to fit that into our work.”