'Too many parents have got stuck on benefits or in precarious, low-paid jobs with only quick-fire jobcentre appointments and no real support to get work that pays. A serious plan that tackles the obstacles for would-be workers is welcome. A high-quality employment support service involving local authorities, tailored advice and skills training is long overdue as is a childcare programme that provides an affordable place for every parent that needs one but we hope that childcare will be available to cover training periods for parents who need to skill up in order to get a job with prospects.'
'The new government pledged an ambitious approach to tackling child poverty but there was little to help achieve that aim in the speech today. The two-child limit is the biggest driver of rising child poverty and teachers, struggling parents and even children themselves can testify to the harm the policy is causing to kids day in, day out. All eyes will now be on government’s first budget, which must commit to scrapping this policy. Delaying its abolition will harm many more young lives and undercut the government’s poverty-reduction plans.'
'The taskforce is a welcome first step towards fulfilling the government’s pledge to bring in an ambitious child poverty strategy. But with a record number of kids in poverty now, scrapping the two-child limit on benefits has to happen in the government’s first Budget. The two-child limit is driving up child poverty more than any other policy, children need it to be removed as a priority.'
Survey of 560 affected families reveals acute hardship. Charities and Church of England call on new government to commit to abolishing the policy this year – ‘...children can’t wait for government to align every star...’
'A child poverty strategy is imperative and extremely welcome but its first action point has to be abolishing the two-child limit which more than any other policy has driven child poverty to record levels. There needs to be some real ambition on family incomes and real change won’t come for the 4 million children in poverty until the two-child limit and benefit cap are scrapped and the rate of child benefit is increased. Our responsibility to the future starts with ensuring all children can have a good start in life. Today’s manifesto is a good first step, but no route to happy healthy children and a strong economy starts with record child poverty. We will need to see detailed policies and targets that demonstrate how a reduction in child poverty will be achieved.'
This week we launched the Cost of the School Day Big Question report and film. 5,394 children and young people across Scotland shared their views on school costs, particularly food and trips, what makes them feel ready to learn, and their ideas for creating change in schools.
A new first minister has just taken office in Scotland. Like his predecessor, he has said that his first policy priority will be eradicating child poverty. What progress on child poverty has already been made in Scotland? What lessons can be learned? And what more needs to be done?
