Lack of input on UK child poverty strategy ‘deeply disappointing’ – minister

The UK Government has failed to properly consult Scottish ministers on its flagship child poverty strategy, the Social Justice Secretary has said.

Shirley-Anne Somerville said she was “exceptionally disappointed” with Labour, which she said had not properly listened to the Scottish Government.

During an appearance before MSPs, she rubbished talk of a better relationship with devolved nations under Labour.

She said the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had reassured the First Minister that relations between the two governments would improve, but said a lack of engagement on Westminster’s child poverty strategy had “not been an example of a new and flourishing relationship”.

Ms Somerville also expressed disappointment that Labour had delayed its child poverty strategy until at least the autumn.

Appearing before Holyrood’s Social Justice Committee, the minister was asked if she was engaging with her UK counterparts ahead of the launch of the strategy.

“We have had dialogue,” she told MSPs. “Well, actually, dialogue would suggest a two-way conversation.

“We have had a number of meetings. It would be fair to say they have been exceptionally disappointing.

“We have had not as many meetings as we would like, and not as many meetings that actually allowed for genuine conversation and an exchange of views.

“That has been deeply disappointing.”

The Social Justice Secretary said she remained “disappointed” at the level of contact, as well as the “depth of contact”, on the issue, despite assurances that relations between the two administrations would improve, following a fraught relationship with the last Conservative government.

She said it was important that the two governments work together due to the overlap in powers related to child poverty, including benefits and employment, and that her Government was providing the UK Government with the information it needed.

Ms Somerville said the delay in the strategy had caused her deep concern “because the longer these things go on, the more children remain in poverty”.

She added: “I am also concerned about the fact that we are not in a position that I have reassurance at this moment in time about the direction of travel of that task force report.

“Now I dearly hope that I am proved wrong, and this is a robust report that comes out of that, but it is difficult to see at this point, given the level of interaction that there has been, particularly at ministerial level.”

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.