Category Archives: Poverty

“The Scottish Government is taking a different route on poverty and this will be an important issue, politically and constitutionally.”   Ewan Gurr: ‘Benefit rises at forefront of public consciousness’ (eveningtelegraph.co.uk) This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph on 15/02/2021 On two occasions, once after leaving school and another time following redundancy, I fell uponContinue reading “Different Approaches to Tackling Poverty”

“There is great power when real people experiencing real hardship take back the reins of the conversation from the professionals.” Ewan Gurr: ‘Taking poverty back from the professionals’ – Evening Telegraph This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph 18/01/2021 It is not every day a picture a friend took on her phone endsContinue reading “Taking Poverty Back from the Professionals”

“With every passing week, month and year, I was encountering men, women and children experiencing poverty who shared their stories.” All of us appreciate a story. They often act as a universal language which have the potential to both anchor us within the world and, on occasion, transport us to another place. The bestselling AmericanContinue reading “The Powerful Stories Behind the Statistics”

“The empirical evidence is clear – lockdowns lead to poverty, which is why we must exert caution over their use.“ This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph: 19/10/2020 With the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom having implemented some form of lockdown within a week of each other, it couldContinue reading “Lockdowns Unleash a Pandemic of Poverty”

“Dundee does indeed face significant economic and social challenges but our city and our people stand together ready to respond.” This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph: 24/08/2020 [Online] Available: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ewan-gurr-dundee-bairns-providing-300000-meals-in-four-years-is-staggering-reminder-of-challenges-facing-our-city/  [Accessed: 2020, Aug 25] The announcement that local charity Dundee Bairns provided its 300,000th meal in only four years isContinue reading “300,000 Meals for Children in Dundee”

“Devastating news emerged last week about the loss of a Dundonian gran aged 61 who died weighing just three stone.” This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph: 27/07/2020 [Online] Available: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ewan-gurr-earlier-change-may-have-extended-christines-life/  [Accessed: 2020, Jul 28]  Devastating news emerged last week concerning the loss of a 61-year-old Dundonian grandmother who, at theContinue reading “Scotland’s New Approach Could Save Lives”

“To make poverty history we need to make poverty personal and our response must be shaped by that lived experience.” An abbreviated version of the quotes in this article appeared in the print edition of The Courier: 04/07/2020 [Online] Available: https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/1394732/g8-summit-15th-anniversary-will-poverty-ever-be-history/  [Accessed: 2020, Jul 05]  In July 2005, the eyes of the world turned uponContinue reading “Will We Ever Make Poverty History?”

“No virus takes more lives annually than poverty and not even a pandemic should displace it on the political agenda.” This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph: 22/06/2020 [Online] Available: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ewan-gurr-poverty-is-the-most-potent-virus-facing-scots-today/  [Accessed: 2020, Jun 16]   Described as a battle between two number 10s, the timely intervention of Manchester United’s MarcusContinue reading “Poverty is Our Most Potent Virus”

“Austerity economics and a global pandemic has entrenched foodbanks as a staple in the landscape of the UK voluntary sector.” This article appeared in the print edition of the Evening Telegraph: 15/06/2020 [Online] Available: https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/ewan-gurr-foodbanks-15th-birthday-is-bittersweet-celebration/  [Accessed: 2020, Jun 16]   Approximately 15 years ago – in June 2005 – I helped establish Dundee Foodbank. ItContinue reading “Is a Future Without Foodbanks Possible?”