Scottish ministers have ‘failed’ on child poverty, claims Murray

Holyrood ministers have “failed” to tackle the causes of child poverty, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray has claimed.

First Minister John Swinney has made clear the issue is a priority for the Scottish Government, but Mr Murray claimed “for too long, governments in Scotland have failed to tackle the causes” of the problem.

The Labour MP was speaking as it was confirmed Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is to visit Scotland as part of UK Government efforts on the issue.

Ms Kendall, who co-chairs a special Child Poverty Taskforce set up by the UK Government, will travel north in November to meet key charities and organisations in the sector, as well as parents, children and frontline workers.

The plans were announced as she and fellow taskforce co-chair, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, kick-started a series of events across the UK in order to examine the root causes of poverty, such as employment and housing.

At Wednesday’s event at a Barnardo’s family centre in Brent, the ministers heard how parents can struggle with the costs of everyday essentials.

Ministers are also due to meet bodies such as the energy regulator Ofgem, The Food Foundation and Water UK as they consider what can be done to reduce costs for households.

With figures showing almost a quarter (24%) of children in Scotland are growing up in poverty, Mr Murray pledged the country will be “at the centre” of the UK Government’s “mission to tackle the scourge of child poverty”.

The Scottish Secretary, who is also a member of the taskforce, said: “As we fix the country’s economic foundations, this Government is committed to transforming the lives of Scottish children growing up in poverty.

“For too long, governments in Scotland have failed to tackle the causes of child poverty. I am proud to be part of the UK Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce, which brings together experts in this field and will use the levers of housing, education, childcare and healthcare to build a better future for all.”

Mr Murray added he is “delighted” Ms Kendall will “soon be in Scotland, to meet parents, children, charities and frontline workers, ensuring Scotland is at the centre of our mission to tackle the scourge of child poverty”.

The UK Government plans for a new forum of parents and carers to be set up, to ensure the experiences of families struggling with poverty – including those with youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities – are included in its final strategy.

Leading organisations including Barnardo’s, Citizens Advice, the National Children’s Bureau and Save the Children will also share their knowledge with ministers, while a board of leading academics and experts on tackling poverty will inform, test and scrutinise work being undertaken.

Ms Kendall said: “It is unacceptable that more than four million children are now growing up in poverty. Under our new Government, this will change.”

She said this is important as “children can’t fulfil their potential without food in their bellies or a roof over their head, and Britain cannot fulfil its potential when the talents of so many children are being denied”.

She pledged the UK Government “will work with campaigners and experts – and struggling families across the country – to deliver a bold and ambitious strategy that drives down poverty and drives up opportunity in every corner of the land”.

Ms Phillipson said: “The stain of child poverty in this country has jeopardised the life chances of too many children for too long.

“Ending child poverty is a complex and difficult task, but our defining mission is to break down the unfair link between background and success – so every child believes that opportunity can belong to them.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Ending child poverty is the top priority of this Government and we are determined to do all we can to deliver action at the pace and scale required to meet our targets.

“We have allocated £3 billion a year since 2022-23 to policies which tackle poverty and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. This includes providing free bus travel for around two million people, free school meals for all children in primaries one to five, and social security benefits and payments which are only available in Scotland.

“Modelling published earlier this month by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests that UK Government investment in social security could bring hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty across the UK.

“The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK government, however, this must be matched with action in the budget this month. That includes immediately abolishing the two-child limit and following this government’s lead by matching the Scottish Child Payment.”