The Scottish government has failed to meet its legal targets for reducing child poverty, with newly released figures showing progress but falling short of the interim benchmarks. Despite efforts to curb poverty through social security programs, the data raises concerns about whether the country can meet its long-term goals by 2030.
Child Poverty Rates Drop, But Not Enough
New figures for 2023-24 show Scotland’s relative child poverty rate at 22%, while absolute poverty stands at 17%. These numbers reflect a slight decrease from the previous year but remain above the government’s target of getting relative poverty below 18% and absolute poverty below 14%.
Government officials acknowledged the improvement but warned that external economic pressures could hinder further progress. The Scottish government blamed Westminster’s austerity measures for slowing poverty reduction efforts, arguing that UK-wide fiscal policies are making it harder for families to make ends meet.
A Long Way to Go Before 2030
Scotland set legally binding targets in 2017 to reduce child poverty to below 10% by the end of the decade. However, there is no enforcement mechanism if these targets are missed, raising questions about accountability.
- An estimated 220,000 children in Scotland lived in relative poverty between 2021 and 2024.
- Persistent poverty levels reached 23%, far above the 8% target.
- Minority ethnic households remain disproportionately affected.
John Swinney, Scotland’s First Minister, insists that the 2030 goal is still achievable, provided the right policies are implemented. He has pledged to address issues such as the two-child benefit cap but noted that financial support from these measures would not reach families until 2026.
Experts and Charities Sound the Alarm
Anti-poverty organizations say more aggressive action is needed. Fiona King from Save the Children Scotland described the data as disappointing, despite acknowledging the impact of existing policies.
“We know that Scottish government initiatives like the Scottish Child Payment are helping families, but it’s simply not enough,” she said.
Dave Hawkey, a senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, echoed these concerns, warning that without a detailed, costed strategy, Scotland is on track to miss its 2030 goals by a significant margin.
He emphasized that alongside benefits and direct financial support, more investment is needed in programs that help parents find stable, well-paying jobs.
Political Blame Game
The latest data has reignited political debates over how to tackle child poverty. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville pointed to Scottish government programs like free school meals and cost-of-living support as evidence of progress but warned that UK-wide policies threaten to undo these efforts.
“The Chancellor’s latest budget statement makes it clear—our progress is at risk,” she said, criticizing the UK Labour Party’s austerity measures.
Scottish Conservative social security spokeswoman Liz Smith, however, took aim at the SNP, accusing them of failing to deliver on their promises. “Despite repeated commitments, they’re still missing their own targets,” she said.
Scottish Labour’s Paul O’Kane argued that while any drop in child poverty is welcome, the SNP is failing to keep pace with its targets. “The UK Labour government has taken steps to tackle insecure work and boost wages, but the SNP has not done enough to get things back on track,” he said.
Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie criticized the government for taking too long to act, saying, “The powers were there. The target was set years ago. Only now are we seeing real action.”
The Bigger Picture
The UK as a whole saw child poverty rise to 31%, up from 30% the previous year. Scotland’s numbers remain lower than the UK average, but they still indicate a failure to meet expectations.
Data on material deprivation—households without basic necessities—shows that 9% of children in Scotland were affected in 2023-24, slightly above the 8% target. Meanwhile, 20% of working-age adults and 15% of pensioners in Scotland are also classified as living in relative poverty.
Policymakers now face the challenge of implementing new measures to accelerate progress while navigating economic constraints. With just six years left to meet the ambitious 2030 targets, the pressure is mounting on the Scottish government to deliver meaningful change.
