Child poverty rate drops in West Dunbartonshire - but remains above Scottish average

dailyrecord.co.uk:

More than 3,500 children are living in poverty across West Dunbartonshire, according to a new report.The End Child Poverty statistics reveal almost one-quarter of children are living below the breadline, though the figure has reduced by 15 percent.A total of 3,685 children were in poverty in 2020/21 – compared to 4,189 a year earlier.Joseph Howes, chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said the additional £20 support from the government during the Covid crisis appears to have affected the figures positively in most areas.He said: “This shows that change is possible.

These levels of child poverty do not have to be the norm.“There will always be conflicting government priorities, but surely the wellbeing of the most vulnerable children in our society should be front and centre, particularly as we go through the most severe period of price rises for 40 years.”However, he raised fears that the numbers will rise sharply due to families facing a huge cost of living increases.Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie welcomed the decline but said the figure was still “appalling”.She said: “While any decline in the number of children living in poverty is welcome, to have more than 3500 children locally still living in poverty is appalling.“This report also suggests that the situation will get worse during the cost of living crisis.“I have heard directly from foodbanks struggling to keep up with demand and receive regular enquiries from constituents genuinely worried about how they can feed their families.“The situation is desperate and rising energy costs, food prices and household bills will exacerbate the problem, particularly during the colder months.“The SNP Scottish Government and the Tory UK Government cannot bury their heads in the