SCANDALOUS, shocking, unacceptable – these were some of the reactions to news that poverty and inequality are increasing in Scotland.

New data suggests the gap between the haves and have-nots is widening, with more people pushed into poverty as a result.

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In a country with a population of fewer than 5.5 million, more than one million people are now said to live in relative deprivation after paying housing costs. The figure, which is the highest since 2002-05, takes in one in five adults and one in four children.

Two-thirds of youngsters are now living in households where at least one member earns a wage as the in-work poverty trend continues.

Poverty rates for adult single women were higher than for men, regardless of whether or not they had children, and levels for minority ethnic groups were higher than for white people. Households that include people with disabilities were also worse off than those without.

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Meanwhile, the country’s wealthiest 10 per cent experienced have the largest rise in income.

In a release outlining the change, the Scottish Government said: “Overall poverty rates have been relatively stable over the last decade with some fluctuations year on year.

“However in recent years, rising poverty rates alongside other indic-ators suggest low-income households – especially households with children – are falling further behind those on middle incomes.”

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Charities and rival politicians called on ministers to use their new welfare powers to reverse the trend. LibDem Caron Lindsay branded the statistics “scandalous”, and John Dickie of the Child Poverty Action Group described them as “shocking”. Mark Ballard of Save the Children labelled the figures “unacceptable”.

Equalities Secretary Angela Constance said action is being taken by the Scottish Government, but limited devolution arrangements leave MSPs fighting with “one hand tied behind their backs”. Constance said: “Addressing inequalities is at the core of everything we do to make Scotland a fairer, more equal country.

“These figures show the scale of the challenge we face, which is why we are committed to actions that make life better now as well as driving long-term change. This includes initiatives such as our major expansion of free childcare as well as our investment of more than £100m every year to protect people from the worst impact of UK Government welfare cuts.

“We know that in the face of UK Government cuts and continuing austerity, which are having a damaging impact on thousands of Scottish households, our actions mean we are fighting poverty with one hand tied behind our backs.

“But that will not stop us continuing to be determined to tackle poverty. We will publish our tackling child poverty delivery plan next week, which will deliver strong actions to reduce the number of families living in poverty.”

However, Labour inequalities spokeswoman Elaine Smith claimed the SNP were part of the problem because they failed to back Labour plans for a child benefit top-up aimed at aiding 30,000 children.

The MSP said: “With one million people in Scotland living in poverty, we cannot afford to continue to tinker around the edges.

“The SNP reconsidering their alliance with the Tories to oppose Labour’s plan for a £5-a-week child benefit top-up would be a good place to start.”

Alison Johnstone of the Greens called for the national roll-out of a programme which provides financial help for pregnant women and families with young children. The Healthier, Wealthier Children scheme has helped families in Greater Glasgow and Clyde gain around £16m since 2010.

On access to support for those with disabilities, she said “onerous” and “unnecessary” face-to-face assessments for benefits “must stop”.

Johnstone said: “It’s crucial that everyone can access the benefits they’re entitled to quickly and easily.”