Poverty stats lay bare Scotland's broken and biased housing system

The latest poverty and income inequality statistics expose endemic bias in Scotland’s broken housing system a leading charity has said.

Shelter Scotland has called for urgent action to deliver more social homes, which it says is the only way to address Scotland’s ongoing housing emergency.

The figures show nearly 50% of those who identified as ‘Asian/Asian British’ and ‘Mixed, Black or Black British’ were living in relative poverty after housing costs were considered. This compares to 18% for those who identified as White British.

More than 60% of Muslim households are living in relative poverty after housing costs, while no other religious group was above 30%.

A worrying 39% of children in minority ethnic households were in relativepoverty after housing costs were considered.

The figures paint a concerning picture for child poverty in general, with 21% of children living in absolute poverty after housing costs.

Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said:

“These figures are further proof that Scotland’s housing system is broken and biased, with housing costs disproportionately driving Black and Asian households into poverty.

“The fact that any child is living in poverty should be a source of national anger. That the system is so clearly unfavourable towards certain communities simply adds another layer of outrage.

“Housing costs are, clearly, driving people into poverty as the number of children living in absolute poverty sadly shows.

“The only way to fix our broken and biased housing system is by delivering more social housing.

“Social housing tackles child poverty and ends homelessness. The next First Minister must recognise the scale of the housing emergency they are inheriting and commit to delivering the homes we so desperately need.”