Policy briefings
FREE SCHOOL MEALS POLICY PAPER
At present, only some universal credit and child tax credit claimants are entitled to means-tested free school meals. Immediately extending entitlement to all families in receipt of these benefits would have many benefits for a relatively low cost.
End Child Poverty Letter to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy
End Child Poverty members in Scotland have written to Kate Forbes MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy calling on her to the upcoming Scottish budget to make resources available so that the Scottish Child Payment can be doubled immediately.
Accessing Scottish social security benefits debate MSPs briefing
On 4th November, the Scottish Parliament held a debate on childcare, entitled 'Accessing Scottish social security benefits'. CPAG in Scotland prepared the following briefing for this debate.
Consultation responses
Tax policy and the budget: consultation response
CPAG in Scotland's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on Tax Policy and the 2022 Scottish Budget.
Adult disability payment consultation
CPAG in Scotland’s response to SCOSS’ request for views on the draft Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations
Response to Social Renewal Advisory Board's call for ideas
Our submission highlights that children who already faced a higher risk of poverty have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and will be particularly vulnerable during economic recession. Rising child poverty places high costs on society as a whole. It should therefore be of the utmost priority that families with children are able to easily access adequate financial support.
Campaigns
GIVE ME FIVE
Give Me Five is a coalition of faith groups, children’s charities, anti-poverty groups and trade union groups, supported by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, campaigning since 2016 for a top up to child benefit of at least £5 per week.
SCOTTISH CAMPAIGN ON RIGHTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY
The Scottish Campaign on Rights to Social Security (SCORSS) is a diverse coalition of organisations working across Scotland with expertise across a range of different aspects of the social security system.
END CHILD POVERTY IN SCOTLAND
CPAG in Scotland works with other Scottish members of the End Child Poverty campaign - a coalition of 150 organisations from civic society including children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others, united in our vision of a UK free of child poverty.
Menu for Change
CPAG are one of four project partners for A Menu for Change in Scotland, a partnership project which aims to evolve the emergency response to food insecurity in Scotland away from a foodbank first to a cash and rights based response whilst helping to tackle the underlying drivers.
Local child poverty action
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 has initiated action across Scotland to reduce current child poverty targets in line with Ministerial effort. CPAG in Scotland is providing a wide range of support to local authorities, NHS Boards and others who are subject to a new Duty requiring them to make a step change in how they plan and deliver local and regional services and interventions.
Cost of the School Day
School costs can put pressure on low-income families and put children at risk of missing out on opportunities and feeling different, excluded and unhappy. The Cost of the School Day involves children and young people, parents/carers and school staff in identifying financial barriers and in taking action to remove them.