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New strategy aims to tackle child poverty in Scotland Children 'pushed into poverty' by welfare changes, says Sturgeon
(about 7 hours later)
A new strategy to help tackle child poverty is set to be unveiled by the Scottish government. More children will be "pushed into poverty" by UK government welfare reforms, Scotland's deputy first minister has said.
Figures suggest that 80,000 children from working families are living below the breadline. Launching a new strategy to help tackle child poverty, Nicola Sturgeon claimed that 100,000 more children could end up below the breadline by 2020.
"Relative poverty" is where household income is less than 60% of the average. For a couple with two children that means living on below £20,500 a year. She said an independent Scotland would have "comprehensive" childcare.
The plans to help hard-pressed families will be announced by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Labour accused the Scottish government of failing to get money to "those who are most in need".
The aim is to address the causes of poverty early and make sure that children from a low income background are not denied opportunities. The Scottish government said its strategy would focus on advising households on benefit changes and finding work. There would also be an emphasis on children's educational attainment, health and housing.
'Trapped in poverty' 'Preventative approach'
Meanwhile, the Scottish government has confirmed an additional £2.5m funding for four poverty charities. Speaking at the launch of the strategy at Toryglen Community Hub in Glasgow, Ms Sturgeon said: "This strategy continues our preventative approach aimed at maximising household resources, improving children's life chances and providing sustainable places.
"However we now have an increasing focus on mitigating against the harmful effects of Westminster welfare reforms. These changes to the system will not only impact on the most vulnerable in our society - they will also set progress back at least ten years.
"It's frustrating, when so much work has been done, to see Child Poverty Action Group highlight 100,000 more children in Scotland will be pushed into poverty because of these unfair policies by 2020.
"In an independent Scotland we would have the powers to provide one of the most comprehensive child care packages in Europe which would allow more women to work. We would also be able to set up a commission to consider a new Scottish minimum wage - which would at least rise in line with inflation."
Current figures suggest that 80,000 children from working families are living below the breadline in "relative poverty" - where household income is less than 60% of the average. For a couple with two children that means living on below £20,500 a year.
John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said the charity had used figures from the Institute of Fiscal Studies which indicated that between 50,000 and 100,000 more children would be living in poverty by 2020.
'Millions unspent'
The Scottish government has confirmed an additional £2.5m funding for four poverty charities.
Over the next two years MacMillan will receive £900,000, Child Poverty Action Group will receive £750,000, One Parent Families Scotland will receive £424,000 and Poverty Alliance will receive £433,000.Over the next two years MacMillan will receive £900,000, Child Poverty Action Group will receive £750,000, One Parent Families Scotland will receive £424,000 and Poverty Alliance will receive £433,000.
The funding will be used to provide advice to people dealing with welfare reforms, give advice on managing debts and household budgets as well as encouraging employers to adopt the Scottish Living Wage and engaging communities in tackling poverty. REsponding to Ms Sturgeon's comments, Scottish Labour's welfare spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: "Whilst making money available for advice services is always welcome, we already know that the SNP has singularly failed to get money out of the door and into the hands of those who are most in need and most affected by welfare changes.
Ms Sturgeon said: "It is shocking that there are children in Scotland still living in poverty. "Nicola Sturgeon needs to explain why her government has stripped millions from tackling poverty budgets. She also needs to explain why millions remain unspent in the Scottish Welfare Fund at a time when the need for assistance is self-evident."
"We want to be a modern, dynamic country - and that is simply not possible while some in our society are trapped in poverty. Last month, charities including Barnardo's and Shelter Scotland expressed concern over an underspend in the crisis fund for people in need of financial aid.
"We know there have been improvements to the number of people who are living in poverty in recent years - we also know that this progress is under threat from the changes to the welfare system."