Scotland’s First Minister promises to “listen with care” to poverty and education calls from the Cost of the School Day Voice network
Eighty young people from the Cost of the School Day Voice network met with Scotland’s First Minister this week to ask what more his government intends to do to ensure that there are no financial barriers to education for children living in poverty.
In his keynote speech, the First Minister shared some of the ways government is working to reduce poverty, but stressed to delegates that:
“My absolute top priority is to eradicate child poverty. I want to maximise the things I can do.”

First Minister of Scotland with delegates at the young people's summit
Young people questioned the First Minister on issues related to poverty and education, like free school meal expansion and school funding.
“We've got to make sure that our schools are well supported, particularly in areas of deprivation, to make sure that they can enable and support children and young people to be able to overcome the effects of poverty.”
In an interview with young people from the summit planning committee, Mr Swinney was asked how he plans to include the voices of young people in decisions about equity in education. He reflected that:
“I've come here today to make sure that I could hear first-hand your thoughts and your ideas. We've got to find different ways of listening directly."

Brooke and Mollie from Trinity High School interview the First Minister of Scotland
Young people will be sharing their views and calls directly with all political parties in the coming months. A key part of the summit was building a Young People’s Poverty and Education Manifesto to present to politicians ahead of the 2026 Scottish elections. Significant progress was made toward creating the manifesto, and it will be available to share in the coming weeks after wider consultation with schools.
Mr Swinney said:
“Let me make an offer. Whatever you decide today, what things you want to put to me, choose a group and come to see me at Bute House in my official residence, and we'll sit down and you can explain to me across the cabinet table the issues you want me to pursue and I'll listen with care.”
What delegates plan to do next in their schools
The Cost of the School Day young people summit welcomed children and young people from 34 schools in 16 local authorities, showing the breadth of anti-poverty action taking place around Scotland. All the young people taking part were a real credit to their schools, learning new skills in workshops, contributing to the manifesto and meeting new people from other schools. Young people left the Summit ready to put their new skills and ideas into practice:
“We are going to hold an assembly and tell everyone about it.”
“We’re going to talk about ideas we are going to implement in school.”
“I’ll think about how my school can improve and help anybody in my school.”
“I’ll be reflecting on today and coming up with new solutions with fellow ambassadors.”
“I’m going to talk to my headteacher and talk to the Head of Education.”
“I’ll make people more aware of Cost of the School Day and promote ways to reduce this problem.”
Young people also told us what they had really enjoyed:
“Talking to the First Minister and lunch!”
“The manifesto activity. I enjoyed contributing to every station.”
“Having a say at the summit and hearing John Swinney answer questions on it.”
“All of it!”
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