MSP’s call to tackle child poverty

The Scottish Government is failing Scotland’s poorest children, claims Central Scotland MSP Elaine Smith.

The Coatbridge politician’s accusation comes following a government report that revealed 230,000 children in the country are living in relative poverty after housing costs, with 210,000 youngsters classed as being in “absolute poverty”.

Ms Smith, Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet spokesperson for the Eradication of Poverty and Inequality, said: “When I recently asked Derek Mackay [finance secretary] what plans the Scottish Government have to lift children out of poverty, he responded by listing a host of SNP povertyreducing measures.

“But this new report proves that these measures have been inadequate; they tinker round the edges rather than making any real progress.

“To reduce these shocking child poverty figures, we must take bold and radical action.

“Scottish Labour has been arguing for a top-up of child benefit payments, which would lift 30,000 children out of poverty, but the SNP and Tories have blocked this.”