Child poverty campaigners respond to FM statement to Parliament

“First Minister’s commitment must be backed by concrete policies and investment on a scale well beyond what we heard today”

Responding to the First Minister’s Statement on ‘Priorities for Scotland’ John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), said;

“The First Minister is absolutely right to make ending child poverty the “single most important objective” of his government. Child poverty incurs a heavy cost on children and families, and creates a huge drag on Scotland’s economy. Investing to end that poverty is vital to realising Scotland’s potential. 

But the First Minister’s commitment must be backed by concrete policies and investment on a scale well beyond what we heard today. Investing in childcare is essential but we need to move rapidly from pilot projects to a childcare system that leaves no parent unable to take on a job or increase their hours.  Removing school meal debt is the right thing to do but better to end the risk of school meal debt altogether by ensuring more children have access to free school meals in the first place. 

Hard up families need to see the First Minister’s forthcoming Programme for Government set out immediate action to boost incomes through an urgent increase to the Scottish child payment at the same time as ensuring commitments to expand funded childcare, close employment gaps and deliver affordable family housing are adequately funded and built upon.”

ENDS

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