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Scottish Government 'to Miss Child Poverty Targets by Miles'
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation says child poverty remains at 21% and ministers need a much bolder, properly funded plan.
- On Monday, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation published a report warning Scotland will miss its legally binding child poverty target by a "wide margin," finding a "shocking" 21% of children growing up in poverty.
- First Minister John Swinney pledged that eradicating child poverty would be his "defining mission," yet faces an "increasing disconnect" between his rhetoric and the reality facing struggling families across Scotland.
- Local councils are "stretched to breaking point" by current funding models that are "hampering local efforts to reduce poverty," the JRF found. The foundation urges ministers to set "stretching, statutory, income-based poverty-reduction targets, with strong accountability measures."
- Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville defended the government's efforts, noting the Scottish Child Payment supports over 320,000 children. She stated the Scottish Government is committing around £3.5 billion to policies tackling poverty and cost of living.
- Critics warn the government's plan to review poverty targets "risks delaying action and lowering ambitions." Instead, the JRF called for a "much bolder and properly-funded plan" to ensure actions match stated political commitments.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
'Radical change' needed to eradicate child poverty, charity warns John Swinney
RADICAL change is needed to cut the number of children in poverty, a new report has warned, as the Scottish Government looks set to miss legally binding targets on the issue “by miles” ...
·Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
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