“Programme for Government lacks the scale and urgency needed”

Responding to the First Minister’s Programme for Government John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said:

“The First Minister is right that his government “must go further” on child poverty. Existing investment in social security, funded childcare and housing are already helping to drive down child poverty In Scotland despite Westminster policies increasing it across the UK. But this Programme for Government lacks the scale and urgency needed to meet statutory targets never mind achieve the FM’s ambition to eradicate child poverty altogether. Looking ahead to the 2026/27 Budget process we will need to see a rapid ratcheting up of investment, including a substantive boost to the Scottish child payment in line with what independent experts say is needed if targets are to be met. (Note 1)

Over the coming year struggling families desperately need to see the Scottish government and opposition parties alike set out clear plans, backed by evidence of projected impact, charting how they will meet the 2030 child poverty targets they collectively and unanimously agreed. There is no credible route to eradicating child poverty that doesn’t involve further serious investment in social security, childcare, affordable family housing and action to support parents access decent jobs.”

Mr Dickie continued;

“With all the focus on Holyrood it is also important to remember that the Westminster government also needs to step up to the plate and use the levers at its disposal to stem rising UK-wide child poverty, starting with the scrapping of the two-child limit in the UK benefit system. We need both governments to work together to end this scandal of child poverty in a rich country.”

ENDS

For more details or interviews contact John Dickie, Director of CPAG in Scotland on 07795 340 618

Note 1 The Fraser of Allander Institute and the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) have identified increasing the Scottish child payment as the ‘most effective tool’ and the 'most direct route' to meeting the 2030 targets. https://www.ippr.org/articles/achieving-the-2030-child-poverty-target.  Fraser of Allender, Meeting Scotland’s Child Poverty Targets: Modelling and Policy Packages, 2025, available here: https://fraserofallander.org/publications/meeting-scotlands-child-poverty-targets-modelling-and-policy-packages/.

In a briefing sent to all MSPs ahead of today’s Programme for Government  the Child Poverty Action Group, along with other members of the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland, said that progress can only be achieved through significant further action and investment. They called  for:

• Action to increase incomes through social security, the most direct and cost-effective way to further reduce the number of children in poverty, including committing to raising the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per child per week within the lifetime of this parliament.
• Action to increase income through employment, including by delivering and expanding the childcare and employment commitments set out in Best Start, Bright Futures tacking child poverty delivery plan.
• Action to reduce the cost of living for families including by improving access to high-quality affordable housing for families, and delivering on the commitment to fully roll out free school meals to all Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils as well as extend eligibility for free school meals in secondary schools.
• The delivery of holistic whole-family support that guarantees practical, emotional and financial help and assistance.