£7.5 million to reduce child poverty
Supporting families at risk of poverty and improving outcomes for
children are at the heart of a funding package totalling more
than £7.5 million.
The Scottish Government investment spans three key programmes,
each designed to address the root causes of child poverty and
give families the tools they need to thrive.
The funding for 2026-27 is:
- £2.2 million for the Whole Family Support through General
Practice (WFSGP), doubling its reach to more families across the
most deprived parts of Glasgow. The programme supports families
to increase wellbeing, and build financial resilience
- £4.2 million to strengthen NHS Scotland's employability
opportunities and deliver 200 placements for job seeking parents,
helping them develop the skills and confidence needed to enter or
return to the workforce
- an additional £1.1 million for the Family Nurse Partnership,
enabling the programme to reach up to 500 additional parents. It
supports young first-time parents often facing challenging
circumstances to connect with community resources and to improve
their financial situations.
The package forms part of the Scottish Government's new Tackling
Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2026-31 which aims to support parents
to increase their incomes and reduce the burden of everyday
costs, on top of existing work, helping to keep an
estimated 100,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026-27.
This builds on existing Scottish Government action
which has already reduced relative child poverty rates in
Scotland to the lowest levels in almost a decade –
with rates nine percentage points lower than the UK in
2023-24.
Announcing the investment at Peat Road Medical Practice, in
Glasgow, Public Health Minister said:
“Tackling child poverty is the Scottish Government's top priority
and we want every child to have the best possible start in life.
“That's why this package of funding is so important. It will
enhance and expand three highly impactful programmes which will
help families access support, fair work in the NHS, and reduce
child poverty.
“This support will allow these three invaluable projects to
continue to grow and help even more families across Scotland.”
Dr Elizabeth Bryden, GP at Peat Road Medical Centre, said:
“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has extended
funding for Whole Family Support through General Practice into
2026/27.
“The project helps to reduce inequalities linked to deprivation
and enables children and families to reach their potential.
"Being involved in the Whole Family Support programme has made a
significant difference to the families in our practice. Our
Family Wellbeing Worker has used their knowledge and experience
to connect families with community resources and patients place a
great deal of trust in them.”
Background
WFSGP has supported more than 500 families in 12 GP practices in
the highest levels of poverty within Glasgow, since starting in
winter 2024.
Successful NHS parental employability programmes have
been running for several years, including NHS Lanarkshire's
Demonstrator programme, which supported 39 people with 80%
securing positive outcomes including 29 securing permanent NHS
employment.
FNP has reached over 14,500 families since 2010, with more than
80% of families staying on the programme until their child
reached two years of age.
Family Nurse Partnership -
Maternal and child health - gov.scot
