Government will miss child poverty goal under current plan, its projections say

The Scottish Government will miss its child poverty target under its current plan, its own projections have said.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville published a new plan to tackle the issue on Thursday, which included a flurry of funding announcements, and she described it as a “catalyst” to meet the 2030 target.

The Government is required to reduce the child poverty rate – currently at 22% – to at most 10% by the end of the decade.

Projections released alongside the plan suggest more needs to be done to meet the target.

“While relative and absolute child poverty are projected to fall by 2030-31, based on policies outlined on the face of the delivery plan and the latest statistics, this drop is not sufficient to reach the final child poverty targets in 2030-31,” the projections said.

The rate of child poverty is projected to fall to 19% in 2026-27, dropping further to 18% in 2028-29 – but then staying at that level until 2030-31.

Promises in the new plan include investing £19 million in a transport offer to help parents with cost and increase options, along with £15 million to help those on low incomes access childcare.

A further £10 million will be allocated to incentivise employers to provide opportunities for parents, as well as the creation of an initiative offering 200 work placements in the NHS for parents at risk of poverty.

The Government will also increase funding for discretionary housing payments by £9 million to cover the cost of the UK Government-imposed freeze to the local housing allowance.

Announcing the plan on Thursday, Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is a national mission that belongs to all of us.

“Ending child poverty cannot be achieved by Government alone, it requires all of Scotland to play its part, and this plan acts as a catalyst to accelerate progress ahead of 2030.

“If returned after the Scottish elections, this Government is committed to working with partners across Scotland to drive forward the change needed, strengthening the role of our vital third sector, engaging business through our investment, and working hand in hand with Scotland’s local authorities and our NHS.”

But the new plan has already been criticised by charities.

Claire Telfer, the head of Scotland for Save the Children, said: “There’s not enough in this plan to realise the ambition of a Scotland where every child has an equal opportunity to thrive.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to eradicating child poverty and the bold actions taken to date, including the Scottish child payment.

“This plan sets out a framework to drive progress around the key drivers of poverty.

“Many of the actions are welcome further stepping stones, but the gaps on the path to 2030 are still too wide, leaving too many children behind.”

John Dickie of the Child Poverty Action Group urged the Government to “put more flesh on the bones of this framework, adding: “With over one in five of Scotland’s children still living in poverty, there is no time to lose.”

Jamie Livingstone, the head of Oxfam Scotland, criticised what he said is a lack of clarity in future funding of the plan.

“Scotland has taken some welcome steps to reduce child poverty and they’re making a real difference, but a plan without proper and sustained funding is like writing the shopping list but having no money to pay when you reach the checkout,” he said.

“With the Scottish election fast approaching, all parties need to show how they’ll fairly raise the extra money needed to turn these promises into real progress, lifting children out of poverty and unlocking a better, fairer Scotland for everyone.”