More than 220,000 children in Scotland living in poverty

A survey assessment for the End Child Poverty coalition has suggested that 3.5 million children are living in low income households in the UK – with 220,000 of them in Scotland.

The worst-hit local authority area in Scotland is Glasgow, where 34.1% of children are affected.

The Shetland Islands (10.6%), Aberdeenshire (13.1%) and Orkney (14.1%) are the least affected.

According to the Child Poverty Action Group, which assessed benefit data, about 23% of children in Scotland live in low income households. That figure is up from 19% five years ago.

Campaigners have called on the chancellor to use the upcoming Autumn Statement to end the freeze on children’s benefits, and reverse the cuts being introduced to in-work benefits under Universal Credit.

The coalition, which is made up of the Child Poverty Action Group, Barnardo’s Scotland, One Parent Families Scotland, Children 1st and the Poverty Alliance, also wants the Scottish government to ensure the proposed Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill addresses poverty at local level.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-37898723

 

Image credit: Saroj Regmi CC by 2.0