NEARLY half of all pensioners in East Lothian are living in fuel poverty, says a new report.

The East Lothian Poverty Commission found that 49 per cent of pensioners were forced to spend more than 10 per cent of their income on energy bills.

And it revealed up to 30 per cent of children were living below the poverty line in the county – with more than 1,000 receiving foodbank parcels last year.

The commission was set up to look into the scale of poverty in the county and provide recommendations for tackling it. It was the brainchild of county MSP Iain Gray and its formation was backed by East Lothian Council.

From February to June last year, its six independent members, led by Pencaitland-raised Annette Bruton, principal of Edinburgh College, examined evidence from organisations and people about their experiences of poverty.

Its findings were unveiled this week, and call into question the perception of an affluent East Lothian.

Among the report’s recommendations is for the Scottish Government to introduce a Citizen’s Income for every person, and for improved access to public transport for people in rural areas.

More basic steps, such as schools not changing the colour of pupils’ jumpers regularly, so parents do not incur unecessary expense, were also mooted.

READ MORE: Poverty commission recommendations

The report found a divide between the east and west of the county, stating that men who lived in the most deprived areas lived for four years less than those living in the least deprived areas.

Cont. from front The ‘Challenging perceptions. Overcoming poverty’ report criticised the benefits set-up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), which rolled out Universal Credit in East Lothian last year. The commission said it believed sanctions imposed on people on benefits “are contributing to poverty in East Lothian”.

It criticised the “long and complicated” digital application process for benefits, long queues for telephone-based advice from the DWP, delays in payments being made of up to eight weeks, and the cost of travelling to a job centre and assessment appointments.

It said: “The cost of travelling to the job centre is a significant burden for those living in more outlying parts of the county, eg Dunbar and North Berwick.

“Local support services are struggling to provide appropriate support to people to make their claims successfully, often requiring one and a half hours to complete an initial application for Universal Credit.”

The commission recommended the DWP introduces a way to deliver its services in rural areas, look at the impact Universal Credit has had on the county and learn from it, as well as calling for a “clear policy for benefits sanctions, ensuring people have the information and support needed to avoid sanctions, challenge sanction decisions and apply for DWP hardship payments if they are sanctioned”.

The commission’s report includes personal accounts from those affected by poverty.

One mum who was on benefits told how she was unable to visit her baby, who was born seven weeks prematurely, in hospital each day because she could not afford the bus fare.

Another parent spoke of the pressure to meet demands, saying: “Parents who aren’t struggling don’t understand the pressure you feel to buy presents for teachers at Christmas etc. Or to feel dread when you see a birthday party invitation knowing that you can’t afford a gift.”

A third parent revealed: “For the school October holiday club, I had no money to give for snacks. They went and asked other children for something and I felt awful.”

The commission reported: “We recognise that poverty is about more than a simple lack of money. It is forced upon people through a complexity of circumstances.

“Poverty is never a choice. It is a human rights issue. People have a right to an adequate standard of living, to feel included and able to participate in their community.”

Mr Gray welcomed the report. He said: “Having made the initial call for the establishment of a commission to explore the causes and impact of poverty in East Lothian, I am delighted to see its work come to fruition in this final report. The members of the commission have undertaken a really significant and far-reaching piece of work. It has the potential to help the council and other local agencies make real advances on tackling poverty, especially child poverty.

“The commission’s final report reflects the real-life experiences of local people who are experiencing the impact of living in poverty.

“It makes powerful recommendations on the action required to create a fairer, more equitable East Lothian.”

East Lothian MP George Kerevan said: “Here in East Lothian there is one thing the council can do quickly to reduce poverty levels, which is to supply more rented accomodation. East Lothian Council must build more council houses. It is as simple as that.”

The commission has called on East Lothian Council and its partners to develop an action plan this spring to take forward its recommendations, and to publish an annual progress report. The local authority says it will progress the action plan.

Councillor Willie Innes, council leader, said: “I welcome this report and commend the poverty commissioners for their work to raise awareness of poverty in our communities.”

The other commissioners were: Anne Hastie, a former manager of Haddington Citizens’ Advice Bureau; Morag Alexander, chairwoman of support organisation ELCAP; Chris Knights, former chairman of Musselburgh Area Partnership; Clare MacGillivray, development co-ordinator Edinburgh Tenants Federation; and Zoe Van Zwanenberg, from Community Justice.