A Just Capital 2025: New Steps to Tackle Poverty in Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Poverty Commission has released a 2025 update on tackling poverty in Scotland’s capital. Five years after the original report “A Just Capital”, the Poverty Commission—working alongside End Poverty Edinburgh (EPE)—has reassessed progress toward the city’s 2030 anti-poverty goals. 

The report was launched at an event on Friday 31 October, attended by Capital City Partnership staff, who welcomed the findings. Rona Hunter, Chief Executive Officer, chaired an expert panel that addressed questions from the audience.  

The report highlights stagnating poverty levels and rising hardship linked to the housing crisis and pressure on voluntary services. Yet, positive developments include a decline in low pay, stronger social security, better income support, and more effective neighbourhood-level collaboration. 

The critical role that members of the Edinburgh Advice Network provide in supporting people to access their entitlements is cited, but the report calls for the secure, sustainable funding that is needed for the sector.

The Commission is calling for renewed political and civic commitment, sustained funding, and genuine cross-sector collaboration to invest in housing, education, fair work, and social care. With continued collective effort, the Commission believes that it remains possible to achieve Edinburgh’s 2030 vision of a poverty-free city. 

You can download the full 2025 Update report here. '