End Child Poverty Coalition: Our priorities for the next Scottish Parliament (2026 manifesto)

Far too many families feel overlooked and ignored. They are let down by an economy that is too often not working for them, or for Scotland’s children. The next Scottish Government will need to build trust through action to tackle the issues, like child poverty, that matter to people. Our children only have one chance at growing up, but many are missing out on the childhood and opportunities they deserve, and that are vital for their future and the prosperity of our country.  

There is already welcome ambition across the political spectrum. In 2017, all the Holyrood parties united in passing the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act. The Act sets legally binding targets to ensure fewer than ten per cent of children are living in poverty by 2030 - the end of the next Scottish Parliament. Yet over one in five of our children remain locked in poverty now.

As we approach the critical May 2026 Holyrood election, we urge all political parties to set out  clear and credible plans to deliver year-on-year progress towards the 2030 child poverty targets, so that every child in Scotland can have the best possible start in life and our country can prosper in the future.