Claire Telfer, Head of Scotland at Save the Children Scotland, said:
“Today’s statistics indicate a small drop in child poverty rates, but the real headline is that one in five children remain locked in poverty and we simply must do more to give every child the best start in life.
These figures show that progress is possible and policies like the Scottish Child Payment are making a difference to families. But it isn’t going far enough - too many families aren’t seeing a big enough change in their day to day lives and that makes them feel that politicians aren’t doing enough to help them.
They also make it clear that we are not moving fast enough, and that the scale of change needed to ensure there are no limits on childhood by 2030 remains a long way off. We need to see clear commitments in party manifestos, and a shared, cross-party commitment in the next parliament to go further and faster, turning intent into action, and action into lasting change.
The new government must set out a clear and credible path to meet the 2030 child poverty targets, with urgent action in the first 100 days.
This is about much more than numbers. There should be no limits to childhood. It’s about building a thriving, and more prosperous future for everyone in Scotland.”
ENDS
For further information or interviews please contact:
Emma Craig, Media Lead Scotland/07929442572/[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Parents from the Save the Children ‘Changing the Story’ parent panel, said:
“No child in Scotland should ever experience poverty - not one. It’s good that rates are reducing but these are not just statistics, they are children’s lives. Too many of our children are still growing up defined by poverty, where it shapes everything from what they eat and how they sleep, to their confidence, wellbeing, and future opportunities. As parents, the reality is one of impossible choices, constant stress, and knowing that progress is just not happening fast enough.
Childhood cannot wait. 210,000 children still living in poverty is not just unacceptable - it reflects a failure to go far enough for families. What we need now is stronger, more urgent action including real support and clear and measured steps to reach the 2030 targets. Every child deserves a fair start, and Scotland must do better because one child in poverty is one too many.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Emma Craig, Media Lead Scotland/07929442572/[email protected]
Notes to Editors
Child Poverty Action Group statistics explainer: The UK child poverty statistics for April 2024 to March 2025 are based on self-reported household incomes, as collected in previous years, but additional administrative information on what people have actually received has also been added. This change was made due to income from benefits being under-reported in the past. Addressing benefit under-reporting is sensible to capture more accurate household incomes.
While the new methodology accounts for underreporting of UK-wide benefits, it does not account for Scottish Government administered benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment.