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Holyrood to draft Scotland-specific Child Poverty Bill Holyrood to draft Scotland-specific Child Poverty Bill
(35 minutes later)
The Scottish government is to bring forward a Child Poverty Bill to tackle the "deep-rooted" causes of inequality.The Scottish government is to bring forward a Child Poverty Bill to tackle the "deep-rooted" causes of inequality.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move while also re-appointing Naomi Eisenstadt as the independent child poverty adviser.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the move while also re-appointing Naomi Eisenstadt as the independent child poverty adviser.
Ms Sturgeon said the UK's approach to the issue was "fundamentally wrong", and is now seeking to develop Scotland-specific legislation.Ms Sturgeon said the UK's approach to the issue was "fundamentally wrong", and is now seeking to develop Scotland-specific legislation.
She said consultations for the new bill would be published over the summer.She said consultations for the new bill would be published over the summer.
The Scottish government has previously only had its own Child Poverty Strategy, but will now work to cement what Ms Sturgeon called the "distinctly Scottish approach" in legislation.The Scottish government has previously only had its own Child Poverty Strategy, but will now work to cement what Ms Sturgeon called the "distinctly Scottish approach" in legislation.
Speaking during a visit to the Prince's Trust in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said her government "profoundly disagree" with the UK government's approach, which has included repealing parts of the 2010 Child Poverty Act.Speaking during a visit to the Prince's Trust in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said her government "profoundly disagree" with the UK government's approach, which has included repealing parts of the 2010 Child Poverty Act.
She said: "It is simply unacceptable that children are growing up in poverty and we must do all we can to tackle the inequality that still exists in 21st century Scotland.She said: "It is simply unacceptable that children are growing up in poverty and we must do all we can to tackle the inequality that still exists in 21st century Scotland.
"While we have made progress as a government through the Child Poverty Strategy, it's clear from feedback from my independent poverty adviser, Naomi Eisenstadt, and others that we must keep striving to do more and we need to do more to enshrine our distinctly Scottish approach in law."While we have made progress as a government through the Child Poverty Strategy, it's clear from feedback from my independent poverty adviser, Naomi Eisenstadt, and others that we must keep striving to do more and we need to do more to enshrine our distinctly Scottish approach in law.
"By repealing large parts of the Child Poverty Act, including the income-based child poverty targets, the UK government has signalled that they do not see child poverty and the incomes of poor families as priorities."By repealing large parts of the Child Poverty Act, including the income-based child poverty targets, the UK government has signalled that they do not see child poverty and the incomes of poor families as priorities.
"That is fundamentally wrong. With the introduction of this new legislation, the Scottish government is sending the message, in the strongest possible terms, that we profoundly disagree.""That is fundamentally wrong. With the introduction of this new legislation, the Scottish government is sending the message, in the strongest possible terms, that we profoundly disagree."
The UK government has defended its approach, saying "eradicating child poverty is an absolute priority", with the aim to "drive effective government action by focusing attention on making meaningful change to children's life chances".The UK government has defended its approach, saying "eradicating child poverty is an absolute priority", with the aim to "drive effective government action by focusing attention on making meaningful change to children's life chances".
'Cycle of poverty'
Ms Eisenstadt said the Scottish government's move was a "positive, practical and constructive step forward".Ms Eisenstadt said the Scottish government's move was a "positive, practical and constructive step forward".
She added: "This legislation will maximise the chances that all people living in Scotland lead productive and healthy lives. We need to stop the cycle of poverty and prevent the next generation of young people being born into poverty."She added: "This legislation will maximise the chances that all people living in Scotland lead productive and healthy lives. We need to stop the cycle of poverty and prevent the next generation of young people being born into poverty."
Campaigners in the Poverty Alliance also welcomed the announcement, calling for a broad strategy including work to improve employment conditions.
Director Peter Kelly said: "We need focused and coordinated action to reduce poverty in Scotland, and setting out in law what needs to be done will help bring about that action.
"If we are really to make progress towards eradicating child poverty then we need a comprehensive national anti-poverty strategy that involves all parts and layers of government.
"The new Child Poverty Bill will be an important step forward. However, it is critical that the Bill is part of a long term, comprehensive national anti-poverty strategy, a strategy that ensures no-one - child, working age adult, pensioner - lives in poverty."