MSPs from all five elected parties to the Scottish Parliament have backed Aberlour Child Care Trust’s campaign to tackle child poverty and inequality in Scotland.
More than forty politicians from the Conservatives, Greens, Labour, Liberal Democrats and SNP have agreed with Aberlour that a ‘bad start to life shouldn’t mean a bad end’ and have signed pledges this week at a special parliament exhibition held by Aberlour. This exhibition was sponsored by Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP.
They have pledged support for:
- A commitment from the Scottish Government to a transitional fund that will support local authorities to deliver early intervention family support services, as well as continue to provide specialist support for children and families most affected by poverty and inequality.
- A commitment from the Scottish Government and public authorities to develop a child wellbeing approach to budget setting and economic planning that ensures public spending prioritises child wellbeing.
- A commitment from the business sector to provide quality, secure, flexible and family friendly employment, ensuring jobs and income levels that enable families to thrive, not just survive.
These pledges are in support of Aberlour’s new campaign to tackle child poverty and inequality in Scotland.
Aberlour is appealing to members of the public to start a monthly donation to the charity to help reach more children and young people and for the Scottish Government, public authorities and the business community to match the public’s generosity and commit to tackling the root causes of poverty in Scotland together.
The campaign was launched following research that shows young people from the most deprived communities are up to three times more likely to die before they reach their 25th birthday.
Martin Canavan, Policy and Participation Officer for Aberlour Child Care Trust, said: “We were delighted to have been at the Scottish Parliament this week talking to MSPs from all parties about our #NoBadEnds campaign and the work we do with children and families across Scotland affected by poverty.
“We recognise and welcome the commitments of both the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament to address child poverty. However, the fact remains that child poverty is rising year on year. Our campaign asks all policy makers and political parties to commit to key additional actions we believe can help to address both the consequences and, more importantly, the causes of poverty.
“It has been great to get so much cross-party support for our campaign and consensus that these are some of the things we need to do as a country if we are truly going to turn the tide on child poverty in Scotland.”
Aberlour is Scotland’s largest children’s charity and supports over 7,500 vulnerable children and their families across the country. Aberlour provides a range of services, including residential and fostering, recovery, early years, disability and early intervention, to help the young people and families they support to thrive.
For more information on the campaign www.aberlour.org.uk/nobadends or email hello@aberlour.org.uk
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