Poverty tsar: Wealth and class are still key to success

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STEPHEN NAYSMITH

In her Poverty and Inequality report, Ms Eisenstadt said: “While there is much to be optimistic about in terms of improving school performance, record low youth unemployment, and the vast majority of young people leaving school with a positive post-school destination, the persistence of the social class gradient is deeply worrying.

“The fundamental fact remains that life outcomes are largely determined by the wealth and social class of one’s parents at birth. This applies across the social spectrum, not only to the richest and poorest of families.

“And it represents not just fundamental unfairness, but also significant waste of talent and opportunity for the economy and social cohesion of Scotland.”

She stressed many issues cannot be solved by legislation but require action by schools, the private sector and public sector employers.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon welcomed the report as she confirmed the creation of a new independent Poverty and Inequality Commission, of which Ms Eisenstadt will be a deputy chairwoman as her current post ends.

She said: “Naomi Eisenstadt has again provided robust advice to the Scottish Government on how we can tackle poverty and inequality in Scotland. Her first report made a number of useful recommendations and we are making significant progress in implementing these, as the progress report also published today shows.”

She said the two-year commission would provide independent advice to Scottish

Nicola Sturgeon, left, and Naomi Eisenstadt, visit the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.