“Tackling inequalities will never be an optional extra for this government – it is core to everything we do, as we strive to make Scotland fairer and more equal.” – Communities Secretary Angela Constance
Communities Secretary Angela Constance has reaffirmed a commitment to a strong approach to tackling child poverty and working collaboratively to secure this during a meeting with Alan Milburn, the former chair of the UK-wide Social Mobility Commission, yesterday.
Ms Constance highlighted the Scottish Government’s efforts to address poverty and inequality, including the recently passed Child Poverty Act, legislating to introduce statutory child poverty targets, establishing a Poverty and Inequality Commission, and committing £50 million to the Tackling Child Poverty Fund.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to draw on Mr Milburn’s experience as chair of the Commission and discuss what he sees as the biggest challenges in addressing poverty, and action being taken to address this.
Ms Constance said: “During his time as chair of the UK commission Alan was a tireless advocate for social mobility and tackling inequalities. I was pleased to discuss with him the pressing issues that we face in building a fairer country and learn from his experience.
“While we have long taken a different approach, there are deep concerns about the resignations from the Social Mobility Commission and where this leaves the body now. The impact of the failings Alan has levelled at the UK Government could have severe consequences for the whole UK. I am committed to learning from that experience and working in partnership to ensure we mitigate them.
“Tackling inequalities will never be an optional extra for this government – it is core to everything we do, as we strive to make Scotland fairer and more equal.”
Alan Milburn said: “We had a highly constructive meeting where we discussed how to tackle poverty, narrow inequality and improve mobility. It is welcome that the Scottish government has set demanding targets to reduce child poverty.
“That will require long-term effort and an holistic approach across education, employment, housing and welfare policies. It will also require the government to work collaboratively with employers, councils, schools and universities. They all have a key role to play.”
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament in November 2017. The Act will:
- Set in statute targets to reduce child poverty by 2030
- Place a duty on ministers to publish child poverty delivery plans at regular intervals and to report on progress annually
- Place a duty on local authorities and health boards to report on child poverty annually on what they are doing to contribute to reducing child poverty
- Establish a statutory Poverty and Inequality Commission from 1 July
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