“Real progress but far, far more needed”
The bottom line is that the policy and investment made in 2024/25 was not at the scale needed to match what the First Minister says is his government’s “top priority”. That needs to change”
“New Two Child Limit Payment an important step in the right direction” say campaigners
The Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland today (Tuesday June 17th) responded to the publication of the Scottish Government’s seventh Annual Tackling Child Poverty Progress Report and to the Poverty and Inequality Commission’s independent scrutiny report.
The annual report is a statutory requirement under the 2017 Child Poverty (Scotland) Act and sets out the progress made towards meeting legally binding child poverty targets. The Act requires Scottish Ministers to consult the Commission in preparing its report.
Mr Dickie said;
“It is crystal clear that real progress is being made to reduce child poverty in Scotland, but the hard reality is interim targets were missed and far, far more is needed if the 2030 targets that all the Holyrood parties put in statute are to be met. The bottom line is that the policy and investment made in 2024/25 was not at the scale needed to match what the First Minister says is his governments “top priority”. That needs to change.”
Mr Dickie continued;
“Today’s announcement that applications for the new Two Child Limit Payment will open in March next year is an important step in the right direction, but it is clear from all independent analysis, including today from the Poverty and Inequality Commission, that substantial further investment in Scottish social security, in affordable family housing and in childcare is urgently needed. In the run up to next year’s Holyrood elections it is vital all the Holyrood parties set out how they will deliver that investment as well as how they will improve employment opportunities for parents. Action between now and 2030 must be based on evidence of what works – and its clear from today’s reports that the Scottish child payment really does work.”
ENDS
For further details contact John Dickie 07795 340 618