Flagship Highland Council anti-poverty measures ‘left in tatters’ with no real funding before 2027 leaving thousands of hard-pressed Highlanders out of pocket
Flagship Highland Council anti-poverty measures announced in this year’s budget have been “left in tatters” according to the the local authority’s leader of the opposition.
Lib Dem councillor Alasdair Christie is angry that no real funding will be available before the April 2027 budget, leaving people in need in the cold this winter – and through all of next year.
One of the most broadly supported developments of the 2025/26 council budget was the establishment of the Poverty and Equality Commission which it was said would help people access the benefits to which they are entitled.
The council cited independent research showing an estimated £70 million of unclaimed benefits across the Highland area, including £6.9 million of unclaimed pension credits affecting 3000 people.
The commission, it was said, will also aim to tackle poverty more generally in the region by considering rural factors and looking at how service delivery can be changed to address “poverty-related issues.”
The aim is not only to secure additional financial help for those missing out but also to support them to live independently and well in their communities.
The first meeting of the commission took place on May 1, with Maggie Cunningham and Dr Jim McCormick appointed to lead the board consisting of councillors, public sector partners and third sector or community representatives.
Reporting directly to the council its job is to provide recommendations for action, change and transformation.
News that nothing is now set to be forthcoming until 2027, however, means that £70 million is likely to remain in government coffers instead of with hard-pressed Highlanders.
A furious Cllr Christie said: “This is a flagship policy of the administration, which is now left in tatters as it won’t attract any serious funding before April 2027.
“They (council administration) made so much play saying that it’s not going to be a talking shop but it’s time now to put money on the table and actually fund some initiatives that will do some good and make a difference.
“And the Liberal Democrats will be bringing forward schemes at the budget of the council next year to actually utilise and endorse some of the work, the interim work, of the poverty commission.
“The idea for the commission was announced with not a little fanfare and there will likely be people expecting action soon, but they won’t get it. I don’t think that is fair.
“We are also about to enter some of the hardest and most expensive months for many people in the region when the cost of heating and eating will be higher, so accessing the available support is essential now, not in 2027.
“This delay in implementation will become a missed opportunity to do something special in Highland and help people in desperate need. The hollowness of the desire to help people from the SNP independent administration is being laid bare for all to see.”
In a question to council leader Raymond Bremner, Cllr Christie asked whether the administration “will make significant funds available to support the recommendations and findings of the commission?”
Cllr Bremner replied: “I am grateful for your support of the Highland Poverty and Equality Commission, and I look forward to seeing their recommendations next year. It will be for the council to consider those recommendations and how they can best be taken forward.
“The council must live within its budget and so if funding is required to implement any of the recommendations, the council will need to identify where those funds should come from.
“As you will know from our discussions with the co-chairs of the commission, they are fully aware that the recommendations coming forward need to be sustainable, deliverable and within the council’s budget envelope.”
Cllr Christie, following up, asked how provision will be made in the budget for 2026/27 to support the recommendations and findings of the commission, “given that the commission would not be reporting to council until June 2026”.
He was told: “It will be for members to consider that report.
“A report setting out the implementation and budgetary requirements of recommendations that the council wishes to take forward will be considered at a further council meeting in 2026 and be part of the budget setting process for 2027/28.”