- Driving progress on child poverty as legislation to be
reviewed
The type of targets used to measure the impact on child poverty
will be reviewed to ensure continued progress in improving
families' lives.
Social Justice Secretary said the Scottish
Government will begin the review this summer in consultation
with children and families, charities and public bodies.
The announcement came during an update to the Scottish Parliament
on progress towards eradicating child poverty. It is estimated
that Scottish Government policies in the Tackling Child Poverty
Delivery Plan, published in March, will keep around 100,000
children out of relative poverty this year.
Ms Somerville said:
Our defining mission is to eradicate child poverty and we are
unwavering in that commitment. The review will help to make sure
the targets set in our legislation are accounting for all efforts
across government in ending child poverty.
We have made a great deal of progress since the Act was passed in
2017, within the devolved powers we have, including introducing
the game-changing Scottish Child Payment, and are making huge
strides in cutting everyday costs for families. We must now bring
together wider interventions such as our childcare package and
free bus travel.
Against a cost-of-living crisis, continued Westminster austerity,
and a volatile international situation, the Scottish Government
invested over £3.1 billion in support targeted at low-income
households last year, with spend benefiting children rising to
almost £1.5 billion, enabling ongoing investment in key policies.
Background
Child Poverty Progress
Update
Child Poverty (Scotland) Act
2017
Child poverty targets
TacklingChild Poverty Delivery
Plan 2026-31:Bringing Hope,BuildingFuturesisthe
Scottish Government's final statutory Tackling Child Poverty
Delivery Plan delivered under the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act
2017.
