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Affordable housing and social security powers can aid fight against child poverty

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child povertyThe provision of suitable and affordable housing as well as the full use of Scottish social security powers should be vital components of a delivery plan aimed at reducing child poverty in Scotland, according to a committee of MSPs.

A report issued today by the Scottish Parliament’s social security committee said targets aimed at reducing child poverty in Scotland are too long range and has called for interim targets to be introduced.

The Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill sets four income based targets against which child poverty in Scotland will be measured. In welcoming the reintroduction of statutory targets, the committee is concerned that the proposed targets are too distant. It has recommended interim targets should be put in place in order to create the sense of urgency and focus needed to eradicate child poverty.

The Bill also requires the Scottish Government to prepare delivery plans to report against the targets. However, the committee calls for greater detail about the plans.

Committee convener Sandra White MSP said: “There is simply no room for child poverty in a modern Scotland, so any legislation aimed at tackling this is to be applauded for its ambition. The Bill before us contains challenging targets for measuring child poverty but we believe that these targets do not go far enough.

“The introduction of interim targets would send a much louder message about the importance that is placed on tackling child poverty and they would create a sense of urgency which is needed if we are to really make a difference.

“Of course, targets alone cannot eradicate child poverty. It is the delivery plans and progress reports that will detail the action being taken and how effective this action is. We need more information about the format and shape of these plans.”

The committee’s report suggests that the delivery plans should include the following:

  • The full use of Scottish social security powers;

  • The provision of information, advice and assistance to parents and carers in relation to welfare rights and income maximisation;

  • The provision of suitable and affordable housing;

  • The availability of childcare; and

  • The facilitation of employment for parents and carers.

    • The committee’s report also states that there must be stronger independent scrutiny arrangements in place to ensure this and future governments are held to account on meeting the child poverty targets.

    For that reason the committee is calling for a statutory commission to scrutinise Scottish ministers’ delivery and progress.

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