Only one in four Scots say enough is being done to tackle child poverty

The Scottish government is legally required to reduce relative child poverty to less than 10 per cent by 2030/31. Picture: PA | PA

placeholder image — The Scottish government is legally required to reduce relative child poverty to less than 10 per cent by 2030/31. Picture: PA | PA

Charity says public expects more action on key issue

Only around a quarter of Scots believe the Scottish government is taking sufficient action to tackle child poverty, according to new research.

Polling for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity found that just 26 per cent of people agreed or strongly agreed that ministers are doing enough to tackle the issue, while 42 per cent either disagreed somewhat or strongly disagreed.

The JRF said the poll of more than 2,100 adults in Scotland was indicative of "overwhelming" public support for the reduction of child poverty to be prioritised by First Minister John Swinney’s administration.

It said a planned review of Scotland’s legally-binding child poverty targets should not delay action on the issue, and warned the current targets for reducing poverty are “extremely unlikely” to be met, as not enough has been done since they were set in 2017.

Chris Birt, the JRF’s associate director for Scotland, said: “The existing targets have driven some positive action, not least the Scottish child payment, but it is time for both the Scottish government and parliament to restate a bold vision of a Scotland where no child grows up in poverty.

“They should do so confidently, driven by overwhelming public and cross-party support for reducing child poverty to stay right at the top of John Swinney’s list of priorities.”

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Mr Birt added: “The public are expecting more action here, and it’s time for our politicians to catch up. Regardless of where the review of the targets lands, it cannot put children’s futures on hold and act as a pause on bolder government action.

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“To succeed in meeting new targets, the Scottish government needs to get a running start.”

Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have been clear that our priority is to create a fairer, more prosperous Scotland and that eradicating child poverty is our defining mission.

“In consultation with key stakeholders, the Scottish government will review the types of targets we use to make sure our legislation accounts for all efforts across government in ending child poverty while steadfastly committed to maintaining a targets-based approach.”