Families ‘struggle’ following years of austerity

Years of austerity have left many vulnerable families facing destitution, according to a new report from NSPCC Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland.

Challenges from the Frontline – Revisited highlights that family support needs were increasing while funding for services was being cut before the coronavirus crisis hit the country.

The research, carried out before the pandemic, showed a r is ing need compounded with dwindling resources had left some families struggling to obtain adequate food, secure housing and basic necessities.

Service managers told researchers welfare reform had financially punished a whole section of the population.

One said: pover ty disadvantage see now.

“It was always there but i t ’s certainly e x a c e r b at e d by the welfare reform over the past few years.

“The rise of foodbanks here is massive. Families use them on a regular basis and you can see that, families who come to us and are really struggling.”

The charities have called on Scottish Government ministers to push ahead with implementing findings by the Independent Care Review, which issued a report in February.

They added that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented the opportunity to overhaul services as a matter of urgency.

Martin Crewe, director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “We need to harness the desire to do things differently, to reach out to families with a strengthened social safety net to prevent longer term difficulties developing in young people’s lives.”

“It’s the and that we