The overall cost of a child over 18 years (including rent and childcare) is £150, 753 for a couple and £183,335 for a lone parent. But work doesn’t pay low-income families enough to meet a no-frills standard of living, new research from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) shows. Continue reading Working families falling short of minimum living standard
A record number of students from Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas have successfully gained a place at university according to UCAS statistics published yesterday – the third year in a row a new record has been set. Continue reading Record number of students from deprived areas heading to University
New figures show that 296,520 low income households have been helped to pay for essential items such as food and heating through emergency grant funding since 2013. Continue reading Nearly 300,000 Scottish households helped by emergency funding
Struggling parents bear the brunt of rising school costs
The costs of the Scottish school day that fall on families to pay have been revealed by a parliamentary committee, as it publishes a report on what can be done to support the education of children and young people who are experiencing poverty. Continue reading Poverty-proof education: Committee reveals the financial barriers in the Scottish school day
The social security benefits available to people who are in-work but struggling on low incomes is to be the focus of an inquiry by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee. MSPs want to understand if our social security systems are doing enough to help people get out of poverty. Continue reading Holyrood Committee to investigate Social Security and in-work poverty
Half of Scots believe that poorer health is a result of an unjust society, according to findings published today by the Scottish Centre for Social Research. Continue reading Scots poorer health is a result of an unjust society, says new report
Schools across Edinburgh will receive £925,243 from the Scottish Attainment Challenge fund in 2018/19 to help boost attainment levels. This will be used by local schools to help those who need it most. Continue reading Funding boost for Edinburgh schools
Multi-million pound fund is open for applications.
Communities and charities with new ideas to tackle child poverty will be given the opportunity to bid for part of a new £7.5 million Innovation Fund. Announced as part of the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, the fund, financed by the Scottish Government and the Hunter Foundation, is now open for applications from communities, local charities, health boards and councils.
A panel with membership from across the sector will judge the applications, which will support new or existing projects that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030.
Communities Secretary Angela Constance said: “We want to tackle child poverty and ensure the very best outcomes for children today, and generations to come. As a government, we are taking bold action through our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, but we need to work together to make a difference.
“We want to ensure that if actions to tackle poverty are working well in some communities, they can be shared elsewhere so more children and families can benefit. Government can’t end child poverty on our own – so partnerships are vital to make change happen.”
Sir Tom Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Foundation added: “This is about engaging with local communities and people who can make a real difference. The fund’s priority is to meet the needs of families and carers and up to £100,000 per organisation can make a real difference. It is time Scotland changed the dynamic on poverty and set about leading the world in its eradication.”
Applications can be made online.
The Innovation Fund will support both new and the expansion of existing approaches that will have an impact on reducing child poverty by 2030 in a way that helps families to remain out of poverty for a minimum three year period and are viable and sustainable practices for public sector/third sector.
A scrutiny panel from across the public, private and third sector will provide advice on applications, members of the panel will include:
Applications are now open and will close at midnight on 29 June 2018 with awards being made, subject to final diligence and shortlisted interviews/project visits, no later than 17 August 2018.
Applications can be made online.
Community Event 16 May:
Attainment/Achievement of children and young people experiencing poverty
The Scottish Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee is meeting at Muirhouse Millennium Centre at 6 pm on Wednesday 16th May. The committee are very keen to hear directly from parents/carers/guardians, young people, teachers, and other professionals who work with young people in schools and in the community with a focus on attainment or achievement. Continue reading Holyrood’s Education & Skills Committee is coming to Muirhouse
More than 285,000 households in financial difficulty have received Scottish Government grants to help them over the past five years. Continue reading Families at breaking point: Tens of thousands turn to Scottish Welfare Fund
