Scottish policies “are working to shift the dial on child poverty”

say campaigners as official statistics show child poverty falling. 

Interim child poverty targets missed but child poverty down 4 percentage points in Scotland whilst rising to record highs across rest of UK

Responding to today’s official government statistics on child poverty John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said;

 

“These latest statistics show that Holyrood polices, especially the Scottish child payment, are working to shift the dial for children in Scotland in the face of poverty rising to record highs across the rest of the UK. It is obviously disappointing that progress falls short of the interim targets, but the statistics show that when government invests to support families then child poverty will fall.”

 

The latest figures show that in the single year 2023/24 22% of children were living in poverty against a target rate of less than 18%, but down from 26% in the previous year. The three-year average rate of child poverty between 2021 and 2024 was 23%, down from 24%. 

 

Across the UK child poverty rose to a record high with 4.5 million (31%) now living in poverty. New analysis from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) shows child poverty will rise even higher under the current UK government -  to 4.8m by the end of this parliament (2029/30) -  unless it takes urgent action including scrapping the two-child limit in its forthcoming child poverty strategy and stepping back from benefit cuts.

 

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, passed in 2017 with the unanimous support of all the political parties, requires the Scottish government to ensure less than 10% of children are living in poverty by 2030/31.

 

Analysis published earlier this week by independent economists at the Fraser of Allander Institute concluded that “meeting the targets is still feasible but will require sizeable additional investment beyond what is currently proposed” and that “increases to the SCP (Scottish child payment) are the most effective tool available.”

 

The testimony of struggling parents backs up the picture painted by the new government data.

 

Lisa, a participant in Changing Realities, a participatory project documenting life on a low income, said; 

 

“The Scottish child payment has enabled me and my son to participate in more social and educational activities which normally we would have struggled to afford. It alleviates some of the financial pressure and gives me and my son more breathing space to enjoy life. The Scottish child payment has been a ‘game changer’ for me.”

 

Mr Dickie continued;

 

“The message from the statistics, from the independent experts and from parents themselves is clear. The Scottish child payment is working to reduce poverty but a step change is needed in investment to meet child poverty targets. At the same time action is needed to boost earnings from work and reduce the housing and childcare costs that parents face.”

 

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • Official Scottish government Poverty and Inequality statistics are published today: Poverty and Income Inequality in Scotland 2023-24
  • The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 requires Scottish Ministers to ensure less than 18% of children are living in poverty by 2023/24 and less than 10% of children are living in poverty by 2030/31.
  • The Scottish child payment was introduced by the Scottish Government in February 2021 at a rate of £10 per week for each child under six in families in receipt of universal credit and equivalent means tested benefits. It was increased to £20 in April 2022 before being rolled out to all eligible under 16s at a rate of £25 from November 2022. Inflation related increases mean it is now worth £26.70 per week for each eligible child.
  • Today’s UK wide Households Below Average Income statistics are available on the GOV.UK website: Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2024
  • The Scottish governments updated cumulative impact analysis – modelling the impact of Scottish government policies on child poverty: Child poverty cumulative impact assessment: update
  • CPAG explainer of the poverty statistics: All you need to know about Households Below Average Income

For further details and interviews contact John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland on 07795 340 618.