A new city-wide approach to addressing poverty and raising the living standards of people in Plymouth is set to be agreed by councillors.
Building Bridges to Opportunity is a new programme that will focus on three areas. It provides a framework to review city plans, strategies and services to ensure that Plymouth is an environment where people:
- Don’t fall into poverty
- Experience less harm from poverty
- Can lift themselves out of poverty.
Building on the Child Poverty Action Plan 2022-25, the programme will ensure there is a wider focus on poverty, affecting Plymouth residents of all ages.
As part of the programme, a new Councillor Champion will also be appointed to help ensure ongoing cross-council commitment.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities, said: “We responded to the cost-of-living crisis immediately and have been working hard to support our residents as they’ve faced rising costs for energy, food and housing.
“However, it is clear that we now need to take a longer-term approach to tackle the root causes of poverty and ensure that Plymouth where people are empowered to lift themselves out of poverty. It will build on the work already being done through our Child Poverty Action Plan, because we recognise the profound effect that poverty has on people, regardless of their age.
“This new framework sets out how we will work across the Council and together with key city partners to map out existing initiatives and assess how well they are working to support residents, while identifying any gaps in services or potential problems that could exacerbate the issues residents face.
“Poverty is a very complex issue, which is why we need to take a broad approach and work collaboratively and proactively so that all our residents are given the opportunity to thrive.”