AT 24 per cent, child poverty in Scotland is less acute than the 30 per cent level for the UK as a whole.
John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, says the Westminster Government is “in denial” about the issue, and “eye-watering” cuts to benefits for families both in and out of work are driving the worsening picture.
READ MORE: Poverty figures show ‘working households can’t make ends meet’
He said: “Behind these statistics are thousands of children going hungry, missing out on school trips, unable to enjoy the activities and educational opportunities their better-off peers take for granted.
“Supporting these children are parents often going without meals, juggling debt and seeing their own health suffer to protect their children from the poverty they face.”
The Scottish Government has committed to reducing child poverty to less than 10 per cent by 2030. However, Dickie says it is currently unclear how this will be achieved, arguing that “the imminent child poverty delivery plan must now set out how ministers will use top-up powers to boost family incomes as part of wider action to tackle child poverty”.
READ MORE: Scottish Government 'fighting poverty with a hand tied behind its back'
He cautioned: “Without a real change of direction by the UK Government, these targets will be extremely difficult to meet. The Prime Minister entered Downing Street with a pledge to protect the living standards of ordinary families. Today’s official child poverty figures show her government is in denial on child poverty.
“Ending the punitive freeze on benefits for working and non-working families must be an absolute priority.”
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