More people now living in relative poverty

The number of people living in poverty in Scotland is on the rise, according to official statistics.

Figures published by the Scottish Government show income inequality in the country is also growing, with the top 10 per cent of the population earning more than the bottom 40 per cent combined.

Analysis suggests between 2015 and 2018 around 20 per cent of people in Scotland were living in relative poverty after housing costs.

This represents around 1.03 million people each year and is a rise on the 19 per cent – an estimated one million people – who were living in relative poverty after housing costs in the previous period from 2011 to 2014.

Relative poverty is a measure of whether the income of the poorest households is keeping pace with middle-income households across the UK.