Eight years after landmark legislation committed Scotland to ending child poverty, more than 220,000 children still live with its consequences. That’s one in five kids — a number that continues to cast a long shadow over political promises and social ambitions.
With just five years left until the 2030 legal target — to reduce child poverty to below 10% — campaigners say progress, while real, is nowhere near fast or far-reaching enough.
A Promise Made, A Struggle Ongoing
In 2017, the Scottish Parliament passed the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, enshrining in law an ambitious pledge to transform the lives of thousands of children. The move was hailed as a moral and political turning point: a unified declaration by all parties to confront an issue many had long viewed as intractable.
But this week, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland threw its weight behind The Herald’s new campaign, “Scotland’s Forgotten Children,” warning that warm words must now translate into bolder action.
“Behind these statistics lie another generation of children whose health is too often damaged, whose education is undermined and whose life chances are diminished,” wrote John Dickie, Director of CPAG Scotland. “We have five years left. There is no time to delay.”
Signs of Hope: What’s Working
Despite the grim numbers, there are areas where Scotland has led the way — particularly with policies that put cash directly into the hands of families.
The Scottish Child Payment, introduced in 2021 and expanded twice since, now pays £25 per week per eligible child. It’s credited with lifting at least 40,000 children out of poverty — and softening the financial blow for tens of thousands more.
It may not make headlines every day, but for families living close to the edge, it’s transformative.
Parents report spending the extra money on:
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Nappies and baby formula
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Bus fares to job interviews or college courses
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Winter jackets and shoes
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Utility top-ups during cold months
“We hear from mums who were choosing between heat and food,” said one community worker in North Lanarkshire. “The payment doesn’t fix everything, but it gives families breathing room.”
Other measures have helped lower household costs:
| Policy Area | Intervention |
|---|---|
| Transport | Free bus travel for under-22s |
| Education Support | Increased school clothing grants |
| Nutrition | Expanded free school meals |
| Early Years | Funded childcare and Best Start grants |
| Maternity and Infancy | Baby boxes, health visitor support |
These policies are widely supported across Scotland’s political spectrum. But their cumulative impact hasn’t yet been enough to turn the curve sharply downward.
Political Pressure Mounts
As the 2030 target looms, pressure is growing on the Scottish Government to go further — and faster.
Critics point to persistent structural problems: insecure work, high housing costs, and a benefits system still partially controlled by Westminster, where cuts and freezes have reversed gains.
“Poverty isn’t inevitable — it’s a policy choice,” said one Labour MSP who backed The Herald’s campaign this week. “If we had the political will, we’d be doing more than mitigating UK Government policies. We’d be designing a system that works for Scottish families from the ground up.”
Some campaigners want to see:
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A rise in the Scottish Child Payment to £40/week
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Full roll-out of universal free school meals
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Increased investment in affordable housing
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Targeted help for families with disabled children, minority ethnic backgrounds, or single parents
Others say the solution lies in better wages. In-work poverty has soared, with families where both parents work still relying on food banks.
“We need to address the low-pay, no-security model that traps families,” said John Dickie. “Raising benefits is vital — but so is giving people the means to earn enough without sacrificing their family lives.”
The Human Cost of Delay
While the debate plays out in parliament, the reality for families is brutally consistent. According to CPAG’s latest estimates, one child falls into poverty every 15 minutes in Scotland.
The consequences ripple outward:
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Children in poverty are twice as likely to leave school without qualifications.
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They face higher rates of illness, both physical and mental.
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Their housing is more likely to be damp, crowded, or insecure.
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They experience social exclusion — missing birthday parties, sports clubs, or even adequate meals.
“It’s not just numbers — it’s children growing up thinking they’re less than,” said one Glasgow primary headteacher. “We see it in their confidence, their attendance, their future aspirations.”
A National Test of Values
For many, the 2030 child poverty target is more than a metric — it’s a test of Scotland’s national values.
Nicola Sturgeon, who helped introduce the Scottish Child Payment, once said the policy should be seen as “the measure of a country’s soul.”
But with a new First Minister at the helm and public finances under strain, campaigners fear political will may soften unless pressure is sustained.
“If we care about equality, health, education — everything we say we stand for — then tackling child poverty is the frontline,” said Dickie.
