Child poverty in Scotland at same 'disturbing' level as when SNP first took power

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Child poverty rates remain at the same high level as they were when the SNP swept to power nearly sixteen years ago.New figures show one in four children remain in poverty while “persistent” deprivation is gradually on the rise.The unwelcome statistics were published on Nicola Sturgeon’s final day as First Minister at Holyrood.Sturgeon cited poverty reduction as a key Government policy, but the numbers show tiny reductions in deprivationThey show 24 per cent of children living in Scotland were in relative poverty, after housing costs, between 2019 and 2022.Although the figure has fluctuated in recent years, the proportion was exactly the same between 2007 and 2010.Working age poverty stands at 21 per cent, up from 19 per cent between 2018 and 2021.Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “This disturbing data shows that the pandemic and cost of living crisis have dealt a devastating double blow to those on the lowest incomes.“The UK Government must act, but the next First Minister must do so too.

They should acknowledge that tackling poverty requires greater action to narrow the yawning gap between rich and poor and use all of the powers at their disposal to do more than just tweak tax: instead, they should introduce bold, progressive taxation, including targeting wealth."Only then will they end the deep injustice of poverty for good and build a fairer future for all of us.”Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We recognise too many people are living in poverty which is why we are committed to break the cycle of poverty in Scotland within the scope of our powers and budget.“Levels of poverty have fallen less than we would have hoped, given the Scottish Government’s significant investment.