Scottish policies “are working to shift the dial on child poverty”

  • Official statistics show child poverty falling
  • UK Government decisions ‘hold back further progress’

New statistics show that child poverty in Scotland has fallen, in contrast to the rest of the UK.

Annual statistics published yesterday show that compared with the previous year’s statistics, relative child poverty in 2023-24 reduced from 26% to 22% in Scotland while absolute child poverty fell from 23% to 17%. UK Poverty statistics published today show levels of relative child poverty at 31% and absolute child poverty at 26%.

Modelling published today suggests that UK Government policies are “holding back” Scotland’s progress. It estimates the UK Government could reduce relative child poverty by an additional 100,000 children in 2025-26 if it heeded Scottish Government calls to end the two child limit, replicate the Scottish Child Payment in Universal Credit, remove the benefit cap and introduce an essentials guarantee.

This model does not take into account the UK Government’s own impact assessment of its welfare cuts announced on Wednesday , which states that they will leave an additional 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, in poverty.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and we are committed to meeting the 2030 targets unanimously agreed by the Scottish Parliament.

“Our policies are having to work harder than ever to make a difference, against a backdrop of a continuing cost of living crisis, rising energy costs and UK Government decision making. However, we know these policies are working.

“Statistics published today show that, although we have not met the interim child poverty targets, the proportion of children living in relative poverty has reduced and year-on-year rates are now lower than they have been since 2014-15, while the proportion in absolute poverty has also fallen with the annual figure the lowest in 30 years.

“While JRF predict child poverty will rise in other parts of the UK by 2029, they highlight that policies such as our Scottish Child Payment, and our commitment to mitigate the two-child limit, ‘are behind Scotland bucking the trend’.

“But decisions taken by the UK Government are holding us back, and yesterday’s Spring statement will only make things worse. The DWP’s own figures show that proposed welfare cuts will drive 50,000 more children into poverty, which must call into question their commitment to tackling child poverty.

“I have already written to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to seek reassurance about the purpose and direction of the UK Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce. The Taskforce’s credibility has been drastically undermined by the policies announced by the UKG in the past few days.”

Responding to yesterday’s official government statistics on child poverty John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said: “These latest statistics show that Holyrood polices, especially the Scottish child payment, are working to shift the dial for children in Scotland in the face of poverty rising to record highs across the rest of the UK. 

“It is obviously disappointing that progress falls short of the interim targets, but the statistics show that when government invests to support families then child poverty will fall.”

The latest figures show that in the single year 2023/24 22% of children were living in poverty against a target rate of less than 18%, but down from 26% in the previous year. The three-year average rate of child poverty between 2021 and 2024 was 23%, down from 24%. 

Across the UK child poverty rose to a record high with 4.5 million (31%) now living in poverty. New analysis from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) shows child poverty will rise even higher under the current UK government –  to 4.8m by the end of this parliament (2029/30) –  unless it takes urgent action including scrapping the two-child limit in its forthcoming child poverty strategy and stepping back from benefit cuts.

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, passed in 2017 with the unanimous support of all the political parties, requires the Scottish government to ensure less than 10% of children are living in poverty by 2030/31.

Analysis published earlier this week by independent economists at the Fraser of Allander Institute concluded that “meeting the targets is still feasible but will require sizeable additional investment beyond what is currently proposed” and that “increases to the SCP (Scottish child payment) are the most effective tool available.”

The testimony of struggling parents backs up the picture painted by the new government data.

Lisa, a participant in Changing Realities, a participatory project documenting life on a low income, said: “The Scottish child payment has enabled me and my son to participate in more social and educational activities which normally we would have struggled to afford.

“It alleviates some of the financial pressure and gives me and my son more breathing space to enjoy life. The Scottish child payment has been a ‘game changer’ for me.”

Mr Dickie continued: “The message from the statistics, from the independent experts and from parents themselves is clear. The Scottish child payment is working to reduce poverty but a step change is needed in investment to meet child poverty targets.

“At the same time action is needed to boost earnings from work and reduce the housing and childcare costs that parents face.”

Commenting on the latest child poverty statistics, Mary Glasgow, chief executive of Children First said: “Failing to meet the interim target for reducing child poverty should be a wake-up call to everyone in Scotland. The slight decrease in child poverty doesn’t change the fact we are in the grip of a national childhood emergency.

“Behind these numbers are more than 200,000 children living in grinding poverty without the essentials who are going to bed hungry each night. Poverty has a devastating impact on children’s mental health, wellbeing, education and prospects that can last into adulthood.  

“The First Minister says tackling child poverty is his number one priority. We urge him and his government to act now to invest in early help and support for families and to increase the Scottish Child Payment which is the most effective way to alleviate poverty. Children can’t wait.”

The latest child poverty statistics from the Scottish Government can be viewed here: Child poverty summary

Last year Children First worked with 1000 families struggling to make ends meet to provide financial wellbeing support.

If you are a parent or carer who is worried about money, call the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline to start a web chat.

Aberlour Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly OBE said: “Aberlour acknowledges the slight reduction in child poverty however is disappointed that the figures remain significantly above the interim target, highlighting the need for stronger efforts to meet the 2030/31 goal. Too many children in Scotland still grow up in poverty.

“Scottish Government actions, particularly the Scottish Child Payment, are beginning to make a difference. However, with looming financial uncertainty due to UK-level benefit changes, more action is needed over the next five years to sustain progress.

“Despite challenges, the target remains achievable if the Scottish Government prioritises investment, leverages all policy tools, and collaborates with the UK Government where necessary. Increased investment in social security, particularly a significant rise in the Scottish Child Payment, is essential.

“However, social security alone won’t lift families out of poverty long-term. It must be combined with action on housing, employment, childcare, and addressing the public debt crisis. Immediate support is needed for those in greatest need, alongside long-term strategies to build community capacity and create sustainable routes out of poverty.

“Scotland must move from managing poverty to preventing it. The First Minister must uphold his commitment to ending child poverty as a top priority. We cannot fail Scotland’s children.”

Save the Children Scotland’s Fiona King said: “Today’s child poverty stats show that positive policy choices, including the Scottish Child Payment are making a difference, but not nearly enough is being done to give all children a decent start in life.

Campaigners say it’s not too late to end the injustice of child poverty

Responding to today’s figures on poverty and inequality in Scotland, Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “People in Scotland want a compassionate country beyond the injustice of child poverty. Today’s figures finally confirm what we all feared – we are not on course to build that better future.

“In Scotland we have clear, legal targets to reduce child poverty that the Scottish Parliament approved unanimously. But with the interim targets now missed, it is vital that our politicians do more to turn their words and commitments into the fundamental action we need.

“Child poverty is shameful. It highlights that our social security system and economy are failing to deliver what we all need to build a better life and a better future. By allowing such levels of poverty to persist we are denying children their rights and undermining the social foundation that they need to thrive, develop their talents, and achieve their potential.

“But it’s not too late. There are concrete, practical things that the Scottish Government can do now to meet our legal child poverty targets in 2031. They can increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40 a week. They can invest in flexible, accessible childcare. They can expand free school meals. They can strengthen the public services that we all rely on. And they can work to build a well-being economy with good jobs, secure hours, and real Living Wages.

“We have choices to make in our country, about how we unlock our country’s wealth to investment in the common future. We must invest in policies like the Scottish Child Payment to invest in our children’s future. Together, we can build a Scotland beyond the injustice of needless poverty.”

Even harder winter predicted as new Aberlour survey reveals longer-term impact of poverty on their children

  • Survey reveals that 71% of parents in Scotland are worried about their family finances 
  • Seven in ten parents are also concerned about their children’s future chances 
  • 60% of parents are concerned about their children’s mental health and over half (55%) about their children keeping up with their education 
  • Younger and single parents are the most concerned 

Scottish children’s charity Aberlour has warned that a decade of rising and stagnated poverty levels in Scotland combined with the impact of the pandemic, the increasing cost of living and the end of the Universal Credit uplift, will have long-term implications for children and families living in Scotland’s most deprived areas.  

In response, Aberlour today launched its ‘Poverty to Hope Fundraising Appeal’ to support children and families through what is going to be a dark and hard winter – second time around. The charity knows that poverty, like COVID19 has long-term effects and is committed to supporting families throughout. As restrictions lift and life begins to resume as normal for many, the reality is not the same for the increasing numbers of families trapped in poverty.  

The Aberlour survey found that seven in ten parents are concerned about their children’s future chances, with more than half (55%) anxious about their children staying up to date at school. Meanwhile 60% of parents are worried about their children’s mental health. In addition to the Aberlour survey, Scottish Government statistics also shared the news that one in four children in Scotland are estimated to be living in poverty.  

Aberlour family support workers, featured in the new fundraising appeal, relay their everyday experiences of working with children and families swept up in the tide of poverty and struggling to keep their heads above water.

They report an increasing number of children missing out on life experiences, inadequate clothing, not sure where the next meal is coming from, afraid to put the heating on and fears around the long-term effects on children’s mental health and education. 

Wendy, Aberlour Family Support Worker says: “Children affected by poverty are losing out on life experiences. They are not getting the same opportunities as other children.

“Families are finding it hard to provide for their children and their basic needs are not being met. Children are going to bed without adequate bedding and with empty tummies. It’s heart-breaking.”   

Lisamarie, Aberlour Family Support Worker says: “For families caught in poverty there’s increased chances of poor mental health, domestic abuse, isolation and not making ends meet.

“Most of all, I worry about the children’s mental health and their future prospects.” 

This is set against a backdrop of really challenging circumstances for the poorest families. The combination of the end of furlough, reduction in the £20 uplift in Universal Credit, spiralling utility prices and cost of living and likelihood of interest rate rises is conspiring to make it an even longer, harder winter.  

Professor Morag Treanor from the Institute of Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University says: “This survey confirms what I and my colleagues are also finding.

“More and more Scottish families are being dragged under by the rising tide of poverty and are simply unable to keep their heads above water. The stress this puts on parents can be unbearable and results in multiple adverse effects on them and their children.”

Aberlour’s work to challenge this situation for families, working alongside them long term, offering support to the whole family as well as cash for the basics via their Urgent Assistance Fund is very powerful and I am pleased to support this important campaign.” 

The situation is reflected in rising demand for Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund which since March 2020 has given over £1.5m in cash handouts and short-term relief to 5,090 families and 10,927 children in poverty. The charity continues to be inundated with applications to its Urgent Assistance Fund this winter and funds are dwindling dangerously.  

SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Chief Executive says: “Over the past decade the number of children living in poverty has continued to rise and we have seen a corresponding rise in stress amongst struggling families.

“Then the pandemic hit and brought health, social and economic challenges – it’s been a perfect storm. Families, who were already struggling, are at breaking point, and as we’ve seen from the research parents are most concerned about their family finances and the mental health and future chances of their children.  

“Aberlour is committed to supporting families in the long term. We stand by children and families for as long as they need us and that can often be for many years. We strive to provide a beacon of hope for their future.  

 “We’ve launched our Poverty to Hope Appeal, to raise awareness of the desperate situation thousands of children and families are facing right now. We are asking the public to donate what they can this Christmas so that we can continue to offer long term support and hope to more children and their families.” 

Case study – Rory’s story  

Rory* had a bad start to life: his parents had separated, and Rory lived alone with his dad. After the separation, Dad was struggling to cope, and his house was not the ideal environment for a child to grow up in. Children are so perceptive, and Rory was seeing and witnessing things no child should. ​ 

Over the years, Aberlour did everything to make Rory’s home life better, but eventually something had to give. His older sister Lucy became Rory’s legal guardian, giving him the chance to grow up in a more stable, loving home.​ But one thing stood in the way: money. Lucy simply could not afford to buy an extra bed for Rory to sleep in, nor did she know how she would cope financially long term, having to raise two kids of her own. She was already trapped in poverty but was desperate to help Rory.​ Before Rory moved in with Lucy, he was falling behind in school. He’d lost all confidence and even begun to believe he was a failure. ​ 

After Rory moved in with Lucy, his grades improved dramatically. All it took was a safe and loving relationship, some quiet encouragement, and a laptop for Rory to do his schoolwork on, which Aberlour provided. After a while, Rory started coming along to the Youth Club, and thanks to his growing confidence, he shared with us that he had a dream of his own: that one day he would like to become a professional cyclist, like his hero Sir Chris Hoy. ​ 

Aberlour sourced bikes which were just in need of some love (and repairs). Rory learnt how to fix a bike himself and he’s now the proud owner of one. He’s also thinking about joining a cycling club. 

Anne, a family support worker for Aberlour said, ‘’I can hardly believe the change I’ve seen in Rory over the past few years: from a quiet, sad toddler, to a confident, warm young man, who’s daring to dream despite the challenges life throws at him.​’’ 

Too many of Scotland’s young people, who, like Rory, didn’t get the start in life they needed, are growing up with no hope. 

To donate, please visit: www.aberlour.org.uk/povertytohope 

Charity launches urgent appeal

Scotland’s largest children’s charity, Aberlour Child Care Trust, is appealing to the nation to come together to help the thousands of children and their families who it expects will experience significant levels of poverty as a result of the Coronavirus.

Whilst the full-scale impact of Covid-19 is yet to be fully quantified, Aberlour Child Care Trust warns many families are already at breaking point and as the situation unfolds, will struggle to put food on their tables, heat and light their homes, or even meet basic and essential needs.

Aberlour has today called on supporters and members of the public to donate some of the money they will save as a result of working at home, such as the cost of a takeaway coffee or the price of a bus fare, to its Urgent Assistance Fund.

The Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund makes cash payments to those most in need, helping them pay for a range emergency needs. The charity is expecting significant demand for money to pay for everything from food and toiletries, to household essentials, power cards and emergency clothing.

SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Chief Executive said: “Demand for our Urgent Assistance Fund before the Coronavirus struck was already at an unprecedented level. More than £57,000 had been given out so far this financial year and we expect this to climb sharply in the coming months.

“Covid-19 is now causing severe disruption to normal everyday life: jobs are already being cut and other businesses will take some time to recover. The result is that the people worst affected will be those on low incomes.

“Many people unable to work because they have contracted the virus will receive statutory sick pay however this is usually less than their normal wages and seldom sufficient to pay for all expenses a typical family may face.

“We know that so many people are desperate to help those less fortunate, but just don’t know how or what to do. That’s why we’re asking the public to donate some of the money they will save as a result of working from home, such as the cost of a takeaway coffee or their bus fare to work.

“If we all come together as a nation and help in a small, affordable way, it will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable in society as we help them through these unprecedented times.

“Please take this opportunity by donating to the Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund so that children, young people and families don’t suffer as a result of Coronavirus.”

You can donate to Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund here: www.aberlour.org.uk/donate/

How Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund helped Sarah and her baby

Shortly after Sarah’s baby was born, both became unwell and were rushed to intensive care for a week. After recovering, they were due to be discharged when it became apparent that Sarah had very little income and no support from family. That meant after paying her household bills and baby essentials, there wasn’t enough money left to buy warm clothing.  

Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund came to the rescue for Sarah and her baby. It provided Sarah with a sum of money to enable her to have food for her cupboards and freezer, warm clothes for her and her baby to minimise any repeat visits to hospital, and money for her gas and electricity meters.

If you require urgent assistance, you can apply to receive funding from Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund.

You’ll need a health professional, Social Worker, teacher, third sector organisation, clergy or other professional to support your application. 

Full details.

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Aberlour – Scotland’s Children’s Charity – has launched its Christmas Appeal which this year focuses on its work with vulnerable children and families across Scotland affected by parental mental ill health. Continue reading A bad start to life shouldn’t mean a bad Christmas for Scotland’s children

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