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Increased number of Scottish families on benefit

The number of Scottish children in families surviving on benefits has leapt by 13% in just 12 months.

Monday 2 November 2009

A new report published today by the Campaign to End Child Poverty in Scotland, a coalition of more than 150 organisations, including Save the Children, shows that the four constituencies with the highest unemployment rates are all in Glasgow. Glasgow North-East tops the table as the only constituency in Scotland where over 4,000 people are out of work.

2.3 million children living in poverty next year

The report warns that the number of children in families without jobs is rising to its highest level for a decade. It claims that without a £4 billion government investment now, 2.3 million children throughout the UK will be living in poverty next year, more than half a million above the government’s target. Spending £4 billion would take the government close to its aim of halving child poverty by 2010.

The report also shows that some of Scotland’s most affluent areas have seen the biggest rises in unemployment, with more than 100% increases in constituencies such as West Aberdeenshire and East Lothian. Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy’s East Renfrewshire constituency has seen a 98% rise in jobless totals. And both Alex Salmond, leader of the Scottish National Party, and Alistair Darling have seen rates in their constituencies rise by 61% in the past year.

“Scotland’s poorest are becoming even worse off”

Douglas Hamilton, Head of Scotland for Save the Children’s said: “These figures are shocking and illustrate that Scotland’s poorest are becoming even worse off. The highest jobless rate in Scotland is Glasgow North-East, an issue that must be addressed during the forthcoming by-election. As a nation, we cannot let this continue”.

Today’s report, Through Thick and Thin: Tackling Child Poverty in Hard Times, written by leading social policy researcher Donald Hirsch, provides strong evidence for the government to implement End Child Poverty’s ‘Recession Recovery Package’.

“We couldn’t afford to let the banks fail and now we can’t afford to fail our children, our future. Rising unemployment in the UK has created a new poverty crisis which could leave children scarred for life and cost society some £25 billion a year. This dwarfs the £4 billion needed to hit the 2010 target,” said Hirsch.

The report also urges the government to give better financial support to parents who are out of work or in low-paid jobs, to help make work pay during the recovery.

“It’s vital ...that the Chancellor uses the Pre-Budget Report to invest in the benefits and tax credits needed to protect our children from unemployment and poverty and to get the government back on track to hitting its child poverty targets,” said John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland.

End Child Poverty is calling for people to contact their local MP, the Chancellor and their local newspaper to press the government to spend the £4 billion and action the Recession Recovery Package.