Fiona King looks at the Scottish Government’s latest report on how they are delivering on a commitment to drive down child poverty
When the Scottish Parliament unanimously voted for the Child Poverty Act in 2017 which stated – amongst other things – that child poverty must be no higher than 10% in Scotland by 2030, it was a celebrated achievement. These remain the only legally binding targets across the UK and still represent a clear statement of intent from a progressive Parliament seeking to sustainably reduce poverty.
The ambition in laying down those targets and the commitment the Scottish Government has shown in seeking to deliver them is welcome and is, importantly, making a difference for children. But the deadline of 2030 that seemed some way off in 2017 is rapidly getting closer and time is running out to turn ambition into reality.
Child Poverty is still far too high in Scotland
Too many children are still growing up in poverty across Scotland. Recent statistics from the End Child Poverty Coalition show that the national rate of child poverty in the year 2021-22 remains stubbornly around the 24% mark – that’s a quarter of all children in Scotland. In Scotland’s most populous city, Glasgow, the number of children in poverty rises to 27%. Further, Scottish Government statistics show that child poverty among the six priority household types is even higher. For example, in families with a baby under one, 34% are living in poverty, and 55% of children in families with young mothers are living in poverty. Though these figures show we are currently a long way off meeting the 2030 targets, they do not account for the full impact of interventions the Scottish Government have made since 2021-22 – specifically the increase to £25 per week and roll out of the Scottish Child Payment (SCP) to all children under 16 - so next years’ statistics will give a more accurate picture of its impact.
This week the Scottish Government’s Social Justice Secretary updated the Scottish Parliament on progress against the 2022-26 Child Poverty Delivery Plan. This is the first annual report on the second delivery plan, and much has happened economically and politically since the Plan was published in March 2022, including the cost-of-living crisis.
Progress has been made but it’s simply not enough
The report highlights just how much activity is underway across a range of key areas including employment, access to childcare, accessible transport, maximising incomes, and housing. It’s also reassuring that last year the Scottish Government targeted £3 billion at low-income households, of which £1.25 billion was directly targeted at children. This includes a welcome increase in the SCP to £25 and an expansion in eligibility to include all eligible children under 16 from November 2022. By the end of March 2023, 303,000 children were in receipt of the Payment and £190 million had been paid to families. We know it is helping lift children out of poverty.
This all shows that government is taking key actions but it’s simply not yet enough to deliver for all children across Scotland. Modelling published last week by the Scottish Government, which accounts for the impact of the latest expansion of the SCP, suggests the interim targets will likely be missed without additional action. The modelling shows that for the relative child poverty target, the figure will drop to 19%, one percentage point shy of the 18% target. This is unsurprising given that last year, in our report with Trussell Trust and IPPR, we warned the Scottish Government that the targets would be missed unless the Scottish Child Payment was increased to £40. Missing the interim targets should be a stark wake up call for policy makers: they are running out of time.
But what this analysis does show is that in 2023-4, child poverty in Scotland will be 9% lower than it otherwise would have been had the interventions the Scottish Government have undertaken since 2019-20 not happened. This shows clearly that change is possible, and the 2030 targets CAN be achieved – but it will require some big shifts and hard political choices. In recent research produced by the IPPR for Save the Children and the JRF, it was clear that beyond the moral case, there is a clear and compelling economic imperative to tackle child poverty. We need to recalibrate our economy to make it work for more people.
Every child in Scotland deserves an equal opportunity to grow and to thrive and right now, a quarter of children are being denied that right. While time may be running out there is still hope of meeting the 2030 targets, but government must do more to ensure all families have enough money. The scars of growing up in poverty can last a lifetime which is why it is vital we act NOW.
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