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| Scottish independence: 820,000 Scots 'living in poverty' | Scottish independence: 820,000 Scots 'living in poverty' |
| (1 day later) | |
| The number of people living in poverty in Scotland increased to 820,000 last year, Scottish government-published figures have said. | The number of people living in poverty in Scotland increased to 820,000 last year, Scottish government-published figures have said. |
| The 2012-13 figure, which accounts for 16% of the population, was 110,000 more than in the previous year. | The 2012-13 figure, which accounts for 16% of the population, was 110,000 more than in the previous year. |
| The number of children in poverty rose by 30,000 to 180,000, said the figures. | The number of children in poverty rose by 30,000 to 180,000, said the figures. |
| Scottish ministers said the statistics underlined the need for independence, but the UK government said it was taking action to tackle poverty. | |
| The figures indicated: | The figures indicated: |
| Statisticians said the figures covered a period of time when there was little growth in the Scottish and UK economies, below-inflation increases in earnings and the introduction of UK welfare reforms. | Statisticians said the figures covered a period of time when there was little growth in the Scottish and UK economies, below-inflation increases in earnings and the introduction of UK welfare reforms. |
| Ahead of the 18 September independence referendum, Deputy Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Scotland is one of the richest countries in the world and there is no reason for children to be living in poverty in our society. | Ahead of the 18 September independence referendum, Deputy Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Scotland is one of the richest countries in the world and there is no reason for children to be living in poverty in our society. |
| "The fact is that the reduction in poverty seen in recent years is now being reversed. Westminster welfare reforms, such as the reduction in in-work tax credits, are reducing incomes for some of our poorest households. | "The fact is that the reduction in poverty seen in recent years is now being reversed. Westminster welfare reforms, such as the reduction in in-work tax credits, are reducing incomes for some of our poorest households. |
| "Today's figures demonstrate just how vital the full powers of independence now are, to enable us to create a different approach - one that supports our most vulnerable, encourages people into the workplace and provides a fair day's pay for a fair day's work." | "Today's figures demonstrate just how vital the full powers of independence now are, to enable us to create a different approach - one that supports our most vulnerable, encourages people into the workplace and provides a fair day's pay for a fair day's work." |
| The UK government said the new Universal Credit would make 300,000 Scots households better off by an average of £166 a month, while it had helped hard-pressed families with measures like a fuel duty freeze and cutting income tax for 25 million people. | The UK government said the new Universal Credit would make 300,000 Scots households better off by an average of £166 a month, while it had helped hard-pressed families with measures like a fuel duty freeze and cutting income tax for 25 million people. |
| A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman, said: "The UK government is committed to ending child poverty by tackling its root causes, including worklessness, low earnings and educational failure. | A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman, said: "The UK government is committed to ending child poverty by tackling its root causes, including worklessness, low earnings and educational failure. |
| "Under this government there are 300,000 fewer children living in relative income poverty and 290,000 fewer children in workless households across the UK. | "Under this government there are 300,000 fewer children living in relative income poverty and 290,000 fewer children in workless households across the UK. |
| "As part of our long-term economic plan, we have seen the largest rise in employment for over 40 years and unemployment is falling. Relative child poverty in Scotland has fallen since the mid-1990s and is lower than 2009-10 levels." | "As part of our long-term economic plan, we have seen the largest rise in employment for over 40 years and unemployment is falling. Relative child poverty in Scotland has fallen since the mid-1990s and is lower than 2009-10 levels." |