THE government has set a target of less than 7 per cent of children living in persistent poverty by 2020, Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith said.

The pledge came as the Scottish Trade Unions Congress (STUC) and anti-poverty campaigners prepare for a rally in George Square tomorrow to end Challenge Poverty Week.

Campaigners had called for a more ambitious measure, but Mr Duncan Smith said the under-7 per cent goal was consistent with the other targets in the Child Poverty Act.

Mr Duncan Smith said the government was "committed to ending child poverty by 2020".

Alison Garnham, CPAG's chief executive, said: "This is a target that will let a lot of children down. The longer a child lives in poverty, the more damage is done to their well-being and life chances."