Plan without enough pounds won’t end child poverty

While measures introduced in recent years, including the Scottish Child Payment, have helped many families and cut child poverty levels in Scotland, Oxfam Scotland says sustained additional investment is needed across social security, childcare, housing and employment support.

Today’s Plan contains a range of new and ongoing measures but with warnings that even current public spending is under pressure, and new investment also needed for social care, climate action, and housing, campaigners say raising additional money fairly is essential.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “Scotland has taken some welcome steps to reduce child poverty and they’re making a real difference, but a plan without proper and sustained funding is like writing the shopping list but having no money to pay when you reach the checkout. With the Scottish election fast approaching, all parties need to show how they’ll fairly raise the extra money needed to turn these promises into real progress, lifting children out of poverty and unlocking a better, fairer Scotland for everyone.”

ENDS

For more information and interviews, please contact: Rebecca Lozza, Oxfam Scotland Media and Communications Adviser: rlozza1@oxfam.org.uk / 07917738450