“That’s a damning indictment on them,” he said.

Dundee Anti-Poverty Forum today launched its 2007 Manifesto at DCA in the presence of local candidates, who were urged to make tackling the scourge of poverty a key election issue.

“The things that impact negatively in people’s lives are poor housing, insufficient income, fuel poverty, debt and poor health just to mention a few, and they are things that we can, if the political will existed, do something about,” Mr Milne said.

“In 2007 people deserve better. Society can no longer write off thousands of young people. It should treat older people with dignity, it must exploit the talents and energy of people who have not got a job and who want to work and must provide more support for the many thousands of people who care for the sick, the disabled and others who require assistance to live independently.

“We think the parties have failed to present a case for tackling poverty in the city and beyond. That’s a damning indictment on them.

“There seems to be more attention given to keeping the union or independence and in trying to align themselves with millionaire business people who are supporting the case for one or the other.

“Dundee Anti-Poverty Forum is urging them to ensure the people who suffer most in society are protected. We’re not asking them to say, yes we support everything in the manifesto, but we want to open a dialogue with them so that over a period of time we can reduce poverty in the city and beyond.”

The proposed series of measures promoted in today’s manifesto included,

Free nursery provision, flexible childcare and a higher level of child benefit.

Smaller class sizes, free school meals and a policy to reduce exclusion rates.

Retraining for redundant workers and the long-term unemployed.

Increased financial support for mature students and the abolition of student loans.

Consolidating pensioner credit into the state pension and reintroducing the link between pensions and wages.

Abolition of prescription charges and more NHS dentists.

Tackling poor life expectancy in deprived communities.

Increasing the minimum wage to £7.60 per hour.

The introduction of a 100% water charge rebate for low income households.

Building good quality houses available at a reasonable rent

“In conclusion we believe that a system of anti-poverty policy proofing is the way forward to ensure that the strategies, policies and actions of government at national and local level are considered against their impact and contribution to the alleviation of poverty,” Mr Milne said.

“The introduction of such a measure will demonstrate the commitment government shows in its fight to tackle poverty and create a more equal and just society.

“The people of Scotland and Dundee require upstream strategies not downstream policies and the above are a series of measures that are radical and that can be done.”

Solidarity leader Tommy Sheridan was on the election trail in Dundee today.

Mr Sheridan was campaigning with local activists including North East list candidate Jim Malone, on issues such as replacing the council tax with a fairer income-based system as well as local issues such as scrapping parking charges at Ninewells Hospital.

Mr Malone and Mr Sheridan are scheduled to speak at a public meeting at the Queen’s Hotel at 7pm.