Briefing for MSPs ahead of debate on child poverty

Read our briefing for MSPs ahead of the Scottish Government's debate on child poverty on Thursday 3rd September 2026. 

In summary 

  • One in five children in Scotland are still living in poverty. Poverty damages the life chances of children and costs Scotland’s economy billions of pounds a year.  
  • Child poverty is not inevitable, and progress has already been made. Action over the last parliament ensured child poverty fell. Child poverty in Scotland is significantly lower than across the UK as a whole.  
  • Scottish child payment is a highly effective policy. It is making a huge difference to families and is the single most powerful tool available to the Scottish government to ensure families have enough money for children to thrive.  
  • The Programme for Government was a missed opportunity to ramp up action and investment and build on the current delivery plan, Bringing Hope, Building Futures, published in March.  
  • Despite including positive existing commitments - such as increasing Scottish child payment for under ones and investing in breakfast clubs - these will not be enough to significantly further reduce child poverty.  
  • Without substantial new investment, Scottish Parliament are at risk of stalling or losing the important progress that has been made. Current investment does not match the rhetoric of eradicating child poverty.  
  • Parliament must be bold and act on the evidence we know makes a difference. This includes: 
  • Action to ensure child poverty reduces each year. 
  • Immediately increase Scottish child payment to £40 a week for all eligible children and double its value to at least £55 per week by 2030; 
  • Address gaps that cause some low-income families to miss out on the vital payment – such as creating a ‘run-on’ to prevent temporarily losing eligibility (for example when parents take on additional shifts at work). 
  • More investment across government, including housing, childcare and employability, making sure child poverty is at the heart of policy across government.