Scottish Government estimates that its policies will lead to 90,000 fewer children living in poverty in 2023/2024

Updated impact assessment for Child Poverty Delivery Plan also estimates that child poverty in Scotland will fall from 26 per cent in 2019/2020 to around 19 per cent this year

The Scottish Government has estimated that its policies will lead to 90,000 fewer children living in poverty in 2023/2024.

Confirming the publication today of the first annual report on the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2022-26: ‘Best Start, Bright Futures', the Scottish Government says that –

'The report sets out progress made on the four year plan, including that an estimated £3.03 billion was invested across a range of programmes targeted at low income households in 2022/2023, with £1.25 billion directly benefiting children. These figures represent an increase of £430 million and £150 million respectively, compared with 2021/2022. As a result of that spending, poverty levels this year will be nine percentage points lower than they would have otherwise been.'

The Scottish Government also confirms that it has published a Cumulative Impact Assessment Update for the Delivery Plan which estimates that the relative child poverty rate in Scotland will fall from 26 per cent in 2019/2020 to around 19 per cent in 2023/2024, with an estimated 90,000 fewer children living in poverty this year as a result of its policy package.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said today –

'The report demonstrates that we are preventing children falling into poverty and lifting people out of it. This year, 90,000 fewer children will live in poverty as a result of the concerted actions and focus we are providing, including lifting an estimated 50,000 children lifted out of hardship through the Scottish child payment…

By March this year, 303,000 children were receiving the Scottish Child Payment. Having increased the payment by 150 per cent and by extending it to eligible children under 16, we are providing vital financial support to families worth £1,300 a year.

At the First Minister’s Anti-Poverty Summit in May our stakeholders, partners and people who have experienced poverty backed the approach we are taking. We will continue to do everything we can within the scope of our limited powers and fixed budget to help give more children the start in life they deserve. But it is only with the full economic and fiscal powers of an independent nation that Ministers can use all levers other governments have to tackle poverty and inequalities.'

For more information, see Progress in tackling child poverty from gov.scot