Child poverty in the Highlands soars to more than 23 per cent of all families
Child poverty in Scotland has soared by 20,000 in just four years, analysis has revealed.
With poverty in the Highlands hitting almost one in four families.
Figures released show that prior to the Covid lockdown last March as many as 9054 children lived below the poverty line.
Scottish Labour leadership candidate Anas Sarwar said a combination of Tory austerity and SNP cuts has triggered the ‘national scandal’, which will have been exacerbated by COVID-19.
The analysis shows that the number of children living in poverty in Scotland increased from 200,505 in 2014/15 to 220,686 in 2018/19 – a rise of 20,181.
The figures do not include the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which will have increased levels of deprivation.
More than 220,000 youngsters across the country are now living in poverty – around a quarter of the child population.
Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar said the analysis shows why Holyrood must focus on being a ‘Covid recovery parliament’ for the next five years that works to tackle child poverty and bring communities together, rather than return to the old divisive politics.
Anas Sarwar MSP, Scottish Labour leadership candidate, said:
“Tory austerity has led to a huge increase in child poverty in Scotland, with the SNP passing those cuts on to our communities.
“It is a national scandal that the last four years has seen more than 20,000 children living in poverty.
“The coronavirus pandemic will have added to this crisis.
“This shows why the next term of the Scottish Parliament must be a Covid recovery parliament that focuses on rebuilding our country.
“Labour’s opponents want to return us to the old politics of division.
“We need to rebuild Scottish Labour so that our movement can work to tackle child poverty and rebuild our nation, with an aim to end child poverty.”
