Ending child poverty must be a priority for all parties

26.04.07

Members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty have today called on all political parties to commit to eradicating child poverty in Scotland.   Ahead of next week's election, leading campaigners from Barnardo's, Child Poverty Action Group, The Poverty Alliance and Save the Children have joined together to demand that ending child poverty must be the main priority for the new Scottish Parliament.

Initial government targets to reduce child poverty by a quarter by 2005 have succesfully been met in Scotland.  However, statistics released last month show that progress on reducing child poverty in Scotland has stalled over the past year – there are still 250,000 children who are living below the poverty line and missing out on essential items that most people would take for granted.

The Campaign to End Child Poverty is calling on all parties to commit to the target of halving the numbers by 2010 and eradicating child poverty in Scotland by 2020.

Specifically, the agencies are also urging politicians to commit to:

• action on fuel poverty to ensure that no child in Scotland lives in a cold home
• extending entitlement of free school meals to ensure that all school children facing poverty receive one
• make child-care more affordable, accessible and flexible for low income families
• tackle the educational and health inequalities faced by children living in poverty

Douglas Hamilton, Head of Policy and Research for Save the Children said,

"It is unacceptable that thousands of children are still missing out on the essentials of a proper childhood as a result of poverty.  These children won't be able to vote next week but the politicians cannot afford to ignore them.  Children can't wait."

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance said,

"It is worrying that progress on tackling child poverty has stalled, as we are well aware of the damaging effects of poverty on children's life chances. With child poverty in Scotland still too high by both historical and international standards, we call upon the next Scottish Parliament and Executive to redouble its efforts to eradicate child poverty"

John Dickie, Head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland said,

"Child poverty in a country as rich as ours is an absolute scandal. Politicians aspiring to govern Scotland, and the voters that elect them, must make absolutely plain their commitment to ending that scandal. The next government at Holyrood must do far more to tackle the unaffordable childcare costs, loss of free school meal entitlement and impossible fuel bills that leave too many families with a disposable income unfit for the purpose of bringing up children."

Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo's Scotland said,

"Poverty is devastating for many of the children and families we work with.  The conditions which these children have to endure are a disgrace.  Child poverty should be a top priority for the Scottish Parliament and those seeking election on May 3rd should tell us what they will do about it."

For more details contact:

Bev Kirk, Media Officer, Save the Children 0131 527 8244 (office) or 07764 560940(mobile)

John Dickie, Head of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland 0141 552 3656 (office) or 07795 340 618 (mobile)

Maureen Fraser, Parliamentary Officer, Barnardo's Scotland 07966 663085 (mobile)

Notes:

Members of the End Child Poverty Coalition in Scotland include Barnardo's, Child Poverty Action Group, Frank Buttle Trust, NCH Scotland, Poverty Alliance, Save the Children. 

For more information on the Campaign to End Child Poverty visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk