TACKLING inequality and child poverty must be a focus for politicians and the trade union movement, delegates demanded during an STUC debate session yesterday. 

Delegates condemned the unacceptably high levels of poverty and inequality in Scotland, with those representing minority groups underlining that we “we cannot, and must not, return to normal.” 

Stella Rooney of the STUC youth committee highlighted the financial challenges facing young people in Scotland, particularly through the pandemic. 

Nicola Fisher of teaching union EIS said: “We lived in a precarious and unequal society, and had a precarious world of work well before Covid. It is unacceptable and not good enough.”

Musicians Union Scotland committee member Iona Fyfe highlighted the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on the arts, saying the industry “has been let down” by the Westminster government. 

The STUC reported an increase in affiliated membership over the past year, with the Pharmacists’ Defence Association union and its 32,000 members now affiliated to the congress.