Scotland has recorded a significant drop in child poverty since embedding legal targets into law — a stark contrast to rising figures across the rest of the UK, new analysis shows.
21,000 Fewer Children in Poverty in Scotland Since 2017
Since the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 came into effect, the number of children living in relative poverty has fallen by 12%, equivalent to around 21,000 fewer children affected.
That’s no small feat.
Over the same time period, England and Wales saw a 15% rise in child poverty, according to new research published by the Big Issue. The findings paint a clear picture: Scotland’s legal approach may be delivering real results — while other parts of the UK fall behind.
The data appears to show a growing divide in how the UK’s devolved nations are handling one of society’s most entrenched challenges.
The Power of Legal Targets — Scotland’s Policy Approach
So, what changed in Scotland?
In 2017, Holyrood passed the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act, legally binding ministers to reduce poverty by set deadlines. It wasn’t just rhetoric. The law included hard numbers, clear timelines, and an accountability framework requiring regular progress reports.
Targets include:
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Fewer than 10% of children living in relative poverty by 2030
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Interim targets (e.g. 18% by 2023/24) to ensure progress stays on track
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Annual delivery plans to drive cross-departmental policy coordination
That structure has proven powerful. It’s forced successive Scottish Governments — regardless of political control — to actively show progress, rather than just promising to care.
A ‘Parting of the Ways’ — Report Calls Out Westminster
The Big Issue didn’t mince words in its assessment.
The report says the 2017 Act marked a “parting of the ways” between Scotland and the rest of the UK. England and Wales, it argues, have failed to match the ambition or accountability embedded in Scotland’s legislation.
In fact, Westminster scrapped its legal child poverty targets in 2016, replacing them with broader indicators of social mobility — a move widely criticised at the time.
Since then, the contrast in outcomes has grown sharper.
Labour Urged to Take a Leaf from Holyrood’s Book
With Labour now aiming for “enduring poverty reduction” as a central part of its UK-wide social mission, the report argues that concrete, cyclical target-setting is vital.
The recommendation? Bring back legal targets, backed by:
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Independent annual reporting
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Clear departmental responsibilities
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Multi-year investment planning
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Local authority-level action requirements
Critics argue that without enforceable metrics, even the most well-intentioned poverty strategies risk becoming “just good intentions in press releases.”
What’s Driving the Fall in Scotland?
It’s not just legislation — it’s policy choices.
A range of Scottish Government interventions appear to be contributing to the downward trend:
| Policy or Programme | Description |
|---|---|
| Scottish Child Payment | £26.70/week per eligible child, rising annually |
| Free School Meals Expansion | Universal for P1–P5, extended for eligible older pupils |
| Best Start Grants | Cash grants for new parents to help with baby essentials |
| Increased Childcare Access | 1,140 free hours annually for 3–4 year-olds and some 2-year-olds |
| Social Security Scotland | Delivery of devolved benefits with focus on dignity and accessibility |
Taken together, these measures amount to a child-focused welfare platform. That’s a big difference from the centralised, sanctions-heavy system in England and Wales, critics say.
Meanwhile, England and Wales Move in the Opposite Direction
The Big Issue’s analysis shows that while Scotland’s child poverty rate has fallen, England and Wales are both trending upward.
Campaigners point to key policy decisions, including:
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The continued two-child limit on Universal Credit
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Below-inflation uprating of benefits in recent years
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Cuts to Sure Start and local authority child services
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Delays in rolling out full childcare entitlements
One researcher at the Resolution Foundation noted, “Poverty isn’t a weather pattern — it’s a consequence of policy. The differences between UK nations show that quite clearly now.”
Not Everyone’s Celebrating Just Yet
Despite the progress, experts warn that Scotland is not out of the woods.
The 2023/24 interim targets were missed, and the final 2030 goals remain distant. With household costs still high and inflation pressuring budgets, there’s concern that gains could stall or even reverse.
There’s also the challenge of child poverty in rural areas, where access to services is more limited and cost of living is often higher. Critics have also questioned whether local authorities are getting enough financial support to deliver the national plans effectively.
But overall, the trend is moving in the right direction — and policy seems to be playing a major role.
