Lib Dems put poverty high on their campaign agenda

LIBERAL Democrats in a marginal city constituency today said the fight against poverty would be one of their key campaign issues in 2008.

Kevin Lang, Lib Dem candidate in Edinburgh North & Leith at the next Westminster election, said two recent independent reports had found the UK Government failing to tackle poverty effectively.

He said he would highlight the issue in a mailing to over 30,000 households in the constituency. Mr Lang said: "Edinburgh North and Leith is a place where the gap between rich and poor is as stark as you will see, where deprived communities sit alongside some of the most affluent parts of Scotland.

"After ten years of a Labour Government at Westminster, that gap has got worse, not better, with inequality greater today than it was under Margaret Thatcher.

"To make matters worse, new figures now show Government incompetence in overpaying and then clawing back child and other tax credits is deterring vulnerable families in Edinburgh and across the UK from claiming the money they deserve."

The Lib Dems finished just over five per cent behind Labour in Edinburgh North & Leith at the 2005 general election. The seat is now the Lib Dems' 9th top target against Labour in the UK.