CPAG in Scotland's Programme for Government
Our Programme for Government outlines the action needed by the Scottish parliament to secure further progress on reducing child poverty. Action over the last parliament ensured that child poverty has fallen, in stark contrast to the UK as whole. However, 1 in 5 children in Scotland remain in poverty.
All of Scotland’s policy levers, tax and spending powers must be used to the fullest to ensure families have the resources they need to give their children a decent start in life. This is vital, not just for children's futures, but reducing the long-term costs that poverty imposes on our public services and economy.
CPAG call upon the 2026-31 Scottish Parliament to:
- Ensure year-on-year progress towards meeting Scotland’s legally binding 2030 child poverty targets;
- 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;
- Ensure ending child poverty is at the heart of policy across government: employment; childcare and housing strategies are particularly crucial to ending child poverty;
- Ensure the delivery of Scotland’s social security system provides all families with the foundation to thrive; and
- Invest in equity in education to ensure school is genuinely free, and that children don’t miss out as a result of their family’s circumstances.