Reacting to speeches by Anas Sarwar MSP and First Minister John Swinney, Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “Scotland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, making our current trends on child homelessness and our deepening poverty not only unjust, but entirely unnecessary. We know it doesn’t have to be like this.
“It was welcome to hear both the First Minister and Anas Sarwar MSP use their first speeches of the New Year to focus on the importance of addressing the unacceptable levels of poverty that exist in Scotland.
“There is much that needs to be done to create a stable foundation to build a life beyond poverty: providing childcare that people can afford and meets their needs; securing real Living Wages for workers; building safe, warm, affordable homes; and strengthening education, social care, and our other vital public services.
“Social security will be central to any approach to addressing poverty. A strong social security system is a vital part of a just Scotland, giving people a measure of stability and a hand-up when our unjust economy locks them out of suitable jobs and adequate wages. The Scottish Child Payment is a great example of how politicians can turn justice and compassion into concrete action – for thousands of families across Scotland the Child Payment is not a handout, but a vital lifeline. Political leaders who are serious about tackling child poverty must commit to boosting the Child Payment to £40 a week before the end of this Parliament.
“In 2025, we need all our politicians in Scotland to back the policies that will make a real difference to families across Scotland, and deliver on the promise they all made to eradicate child poverty.”
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