SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SETTING FRAMEWORK FOR CHILD POVERTY
ERADICATION BY 2030
SNP MSP for Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, has welcomed
the Scottish Government’s newly launched consultation on ending child poverty.
The consultation comes ahead of the Child Poverty Bill which will be introduced
next year and form part of the overall approach to tackling poverty and
inequality in Scotland.
The Scottish Government aims to eradicate child poverty, and
this consultation asks for comments on the proposals to introduce four
statutory income targets seeking to drastically reduce child poverty by 2030,
as well as on how existing work can be strengthened.
These next steps will build on the range of work the
Scottish Government already has underway to tackle poverty and inequality, such
as the commitment to the Living Wage, free school meals, expansion of funded
early learning and childcare, and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.
Commenting on the consultation launch, SNP MSP for
Cunninghame South, Ruth Maguire, said:
“The launch of this consultation shows that the Scottish
Government is taking vital action to tackle poverty and inequality across
Scotland.
“I am delighted to see the Scottish Government taking this
active approach to end the blight of child poverty. Tackling deep-seated
inequalities is the job of all society, so we need everyone across local
authorities, business, the third sector, and those who experience poverty to
work together.
“The Child Poverty Bill consultation will allow further
evidence and ideas to emerge, helping to build on efforts already underway –
such as free school meals, a commitment to the Living Wage of £8.25/hour,
the Scottish Attainment Challenge and duties to tackle inequalities of
educational outcome due to socio-economic disadvantage.
“The Scottish Government sees ending child poverty as a
priority – and this Bill consultation shows that the SNP in Government will
work hard to end the cycle of poverty in Scotland once and for all.”
