'Put more flesh on the bones' of new child poverty delivery plan,' say campaigners

'Plan needs more substantial actions  to carve a credible route toward meeting child poverty targets'

Responding to the publication today of the Scottish Government's third statutory child poverty delivery plan John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said:

'There has been very real progress to reduce child poverty in Scotland in recent years, and this new plan lays out a framework for further action in the right areas - social security, employment and the costs families face. But as its stands, and as its own impact assessment makes clear, it will need more substantial actions added if it is to carve a credible route toward meeting Scotland’s  child poverty targets.'

The new plan is the third and final plan required by the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 . It must set out measures Ministers propose to take to meet child poverty targets enshrined in the Act (see note below). The Act was passed with the support of all the political parties.

Mr. Dickie continued;

'Ministers say the plan is a 'foundation' for the next Scottish government to build on. It is now vital that all those who seek to form the next government set out how they will put more flesh on the bones of this framework. With over one in five of Scotland's children still living in poverty there is no time to lose.'

Notes

  • For further comment contact John Dickie, Director of CPAG in Scotland, on 07795 340 618
  • The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 sets legally binding targets that by 2030 Scottish Ministers must ensure;
    • less than 10% of children are living in relative poverty
  • less than 5% are living in absolute poverty
  • less than 5%  are living in combined low income and material deprivation; and
  • less than 5% are living (persistent poverty)
  • The latest statistics show that on the headline relative measure, 22% of children were still living in poverty in 2023/24. This was a fall from 26% in 2022/23  (meaning around 40 000 fewer children in poverty). At the same time child poverty rose to record levels across the UK as a whole. New official data for the period to 2024/25 will be published on the 26th March.
  • CPAG in Scotland's response to consultation on the new child poverty delivery plan can be found here
  • CPAG in Scotland, along with other members of the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland is calling for the next Scottish government to:
    • Deliver an immediate increase to the Scottish Child Payment to at least £40 per week, rising to £55 by the end of the next parliament.
    • Ensure Scotland’s social security system provides all families with the foundation to thrive, through increasing advice, strengthening support where needed, and removing barriers that leave some families behind.
    • Improve employment opportunities for parents. This must include action to support parents - especially mothers - to enter, sustain and progress in work alongside action to drive improvements in the quality of work and to ensure it is family friendly and flexible around childcare.
    • Build on the existing offer of early learning and childcare to increase flexibility, accessibility and affordability, with a focus on families with very young children, families with disabled children, and parents – especially mothers - working shifts or irregular hours.
    • Invest in affordable social housing to ensure all children live in safe, secure and affordable homes.
    • Expand Free School Meals to all primary school pupils and, at the very least, to all secondary school pupils receiving Scottish Child Payment.
    • Support families in debt especially through reforming public debt recovery processes to prevent debt trapping families in poverty.