Jim Fairlie MSP has welcomed new figures that show significant progress in reducing child poverty in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland, crediting the Scottish Government’s commitment to social welfare under First Minister John Swinney’s leadership.
According to recent statistics, 7,355 children and young people in Perth and Kinross were receiving the Scottish Child Payment as of the end of March. Nationally, the policy has helped lower Scotland’s relative child poverty rate by four percentage points compared to where it would be without the benefit in place.
Mr Fairlie hailed the figures as evidence of the SNP’s ongoing work to eradicate child poverty, positioning Scotland as the only part of the UK where child poverty is expected to decline as a direct result of government policy.
“Under John Swinney’s leadership, the SNP has made eradicating child poverty its number one priority,” said Mr Fairlie. “But we aren’t stopping there, with measures like ending the cruel two-child benefit cap by Spring next year.”
The Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the impact of the two-child cap, which restricts Universal Credit payments to the first two children in a family. In contrast, the UK Labour Government has faced criticism for delays in publishing its own child poverty strategy.
Children’s charity Save the Children has expressed disappointment at the delay, warning that it could result in an additional 20,000 children being pushed into poverty. Further concerns have been raised over Labour’s proposed disability benefit cuts. According to the UK Department for Work and Pensions, the changes—despite being watered down—could leave 150,000 people, including children, in poverty.
Mr Fairlie was scathing in his criticism of the UK Labour Government’s approach:
“Labour has been in government for a year now and have delivered absolutely nothing to tackle child poverty. Whilst Keir Starmer’s focus is on keeping up with Nigel Farage, the SNP is laser-focussed on delivering on what matters most – and nothing matters more than ensuring that no child starts their life living in poverty.”
As the Scottish Government continues to push forward with progressive policies like the Scottish Child Payment and plans to end the two-child cap, attention is likely to intensify on Westminster’s role in addressing child poverty across the rest of the UK.
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