Liberal Democrats committed to giving every child the best possible start in life - Baxendale

4.50.00pm GMT Thu 29th Oct 2009

Liberal Democrat candidate for the Glasgow North East by-election Eileen Baxendale has called for more to be done to make sure every child gets the best possible start in life.

Multiple deprivation statistics released by the Scottish Government today show that Glasgow continues to have the highest concentrations of multiple deprivation in Scotland by some considerable amount.Eileen Baxendale: Glasgow North East

Glasgow City also has the highest proportion of its working age population experiencing employment deprivation at 18%.

Commenting, Eileen Baxendale said:

“This is not new. When I worked in Royston the area had the highest deprivation levels in Scotland.

“I have seen so many children struggle to grow up against these crippling levels of poverty. It is a disgrace that a Labour Government and a Labour city council have not done more to address these issues.

"Liberal Democrats want every child gets the best possible start in life.

"We are committed to raising the income tax threshold to £10,000. This would put around £700 a year back into the pockets of hard pressed families on low and middle incomes.

"People are fed up being let down and ignored by a tired old Labour party. Liberal Democrats are the only party who stand for real progressive change in our society.

“We stand for a fair society. Greater social mobility is vital to foster a strong, sustainable Scotland in the future."