Poverty survey amid claims of Dickensian living in Angus

An Angus leadership organisation is conducting a survey of poverty and disadvantage across families in the county.

Voluntary Action Angus (VAA) is undertaking research to help them understand the “scale and nature” of difficulties which people are facing in all eight burghs.

This month it was warned that the most vulnerable people in Angus and the Mearns are heading into a festive period “reminiscent of Victorian days.”

Foodbank use across the area has swelled over the past two years and beleaguered projects are looking to winter scenes comparable to the novels of Charles Dickens, according to campaigners such as area MSP Nigel Don.

A Voluntary Action Angus spokeswoman said: “As part of this research VAA want to know what Angus citizens consider as a minimum standard of living.

“Voluntary Action Angus would like you to think about which ones everyone should be able to afford and which ones might be desirable but not essential.”

There are 52 questions in the anonymous survey, which should take around 10 minutes to complete.