A damning state-of-the nation report has revealed over one million Scots are living in poverty. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation also found a huge rise in “very deep” poverty and have called for a national consensus to tackle this scourge.
They blasted: “Both the Scottish and UK governments are failing to use their powers.”
Citizens Advice Scotland chief executive Derek Mitchell said: “Poverty is a scar on Scotland, it destroys lives, families and communities and it needs to be eliminated.”
The heartbreaking figures coincide with Challenge Poverty Week starting today. Despite commitments by politicians to tackle deprivation, the JRF report shows the limited progress in cutting poverty rates.
Of the one million people in Scotland experiencing poverty, one quarter are children. The think tank also says Holyrood’s interim child poverty reduction targets are “almost certainly missed”.
Chris Birt of the JRF in Scotland said social security is key to tackling poverty: “Our report shows that a new consensus is needed to tackle stubborn rates of hardship. The law describes social security as an “investment in the people of Scotland” but people struggling to get by are being short-changed by a lack of political courage. Poverty comes down when social security is enhanced.
“The new UK Government provides a key opportunity for politicians in both of Scotland’s governments to seize their powers, and responsibilities, to deliver compassionate support for people in Scotland. Far too many people experience daily struggles to get by and deserve better than platitudes about waiting for growth or tough decisions. People all over Scotland have tougher lives than our wealthy nation should tolerate, it is high time that changed.”
Most of the powers over social security rest with the UK Government, but significant levers in this area have been devolved. The outgoing Tory Government was blasted for its welfare policies and Keir Starmer is also under pressure to axe the two child benefit cap.
The SNP Government, despite introducing the Scottish Child Payment, has also been criticised for failing to make a dent in the figures.
The authors of the report found that the basic rate of Universal Credit has fallen in real-terms and is well below the poverty line. They concluded that the UK Government’s “work first” approach has failed to reduce poverty and families with a heightened risk of poverty are often reliant on social security.
JRF also said 38% of families with three or more kids, who are hit by the two child cap, are in poverty. They said the number of people living in very deep poverty has been increasing since the mid-90s and they want both Governments to fix social security.
Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly reacted to the report: “People in Scotland believe in justice and compassion. They don’t want to live in a country where more and more of their fellow citizens are being pushed towards deep poverty.
“During Challenge Poverty Week, hundreds of organisations are coming together to call for a wellbeing economy with good work that pays people a real Living Wage. They want strong public systems that we can all rely on – like health, education, transport, and social security – so that everyone has a solid foundation to build a life free from the threat of poverty, debt, and destitution. And they want political leaders to take responsibility for investing in a better society, with better taxes creating better budgets.”
SNP Social Justice Cabinet Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville said: “Ending child poverty is the top priority of this Government and we are determined to do all we can to deliver action at the pace and scale required to meet our targets. We have allocated £3 billion a year since 2022-23 to polices which tackle poverty and the ongoing cost of living crisis. This includes providing free bus travel for around two million people, free school meals for all children in primaries one to five, and social security benefits and payments which are only available in Scotland.
“Modelling published in February estimated Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year, with the Scottish Child Payment alone keeping 60,000 children out of poverty. The Scottish Government stands ready to work with the UK government however this must be matched with action in the budget this month. That includes immediately abolishing the two-child limit, and following this government’s lead by matching the Scottish Child Payment.”
Labour Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “Too many children in Scotland and across the UK are growing up in poverty. This is unacceptable, and that’s why the UK Government has set up the Child Poverty Taskforce. Our ambitious strategy will use all available levers to address the problems we face – through work, housing, education, heath, childcare and the social security system.
“As part of this, we’re resetting our relationship with the Scottish Government and engaging with them on our shared goal – to ensure that every child in Scotland has the opportunity they deserve without poverty damaging their future prospects. Taking action to reduce poverty is absolutely central to our mission to drive economic growth. We’re making work pay, ensuring the national minimum wage is a true living wage, planning JobCentre reform, and ending exploitative zero-hours contracts so workers have increased job security.
“At next week’s International Investment Summit, we will forge stronger links with our global business partners working together to achieve the growth that’s vital to raise living standards.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here