Child poverty

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Teachers doubt Scotland can meet 2030 child poverty target amid rising pupil hardship

Scottish teachers report rising child poverty, hunger and financial stress among pupils, while only 34% trust ministers to meet 2030 targets.

Auchterarder has the most expensive street in Scotland - so should they be taxed more highly?

Auchterarder has the most expensive street in Scotland - so should they be taxed more highly?

rebecca mcquillan

SNP needs to stop hiding and fix council tax

The report’s recommends the Scottish Government’s public service reforms should focus on reducing child poverty

The report’s recommends the Scottish Government’s public service reforms should focus on reducing child poverty

Report: Swinney’s poverty rhetoric ‘increasingly disconnected’ from action

The SNP has challenged Labour to match Scotland’s approach to tackling child poverty.

The SNP has challenged Labour to match Scotland’s approach to tackling child poverty.

Labour pressed over lack of Scottish Child Payment assessment

Dr O'Flaherty said further action was needed to tackle poverty

Dr O'Flaherty said further action was needed to tackle poverty

Euro Human rights chief: Poverty in Scotland ‘very disturbing’

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Sign up for Unspun: Scottish Politics and get political analysis and insight straight to your inbox

Ending child poverty is Scotland's defining mission... but where's the policy?

Michael Marra: Scotland will miss child poverty target ‘by a mile’

The rising cost of food, energy and rents against a backdrop of low incomes make it impossible for many families to balance budgets

The rising cost of food, energy and rents against a backdrop of low incomes make it impossible for many families to balance budgets

Citizens Advice Scotland

Why we must focus on whole family support – and system change

Ministers warned child poverty review risks ‘step back’ for 100,000 children

Chris Birt: 'Scottish ministers must not repeat UK failures on child poverty'

Thousands of babies and children have been treated for malnutrition in Glasgow hospitals

Thousands of babies and children have been treated for malnutrition in Glasgow hospitals

'Horrifying': Thousands of children treated for malnutrition in one Scottish area

Disabled children could face deeper poverty because of UK Government cuts, a charity suggested.

Disabled children could face deeper poverty because of UK Government cuts, a charity suggested.

2026 Holyrood election

Politicians told 'honest' conversation on future of universal benefits is needed

Peter Capaldi backed The Herald's campaign and has now written about the Scottish election.

Peter Capaldi backed The Herald's campaign and has now written about the Scottish election.

2026 Holyrood election

Peter Capaldi intervenes in Holyrood election over issue in Scottish schools

Peter Capaldi writes for The Herald's Unspun politics newsletter.

Peter Capaldi writes for The Herald's Unspun politics newsletter.

Peter Capaldi: 'No child should be too hungry to learn – Scotland must act'

Children are more likely to live in poverty when compared to adults.

Children are more likely to live in poverty when compared to adults.

More than 200,000 Scottish children live in relative poverty, figures show

Child poverty statistics are expected to be revised down.

Child poverty statistics are expected to be revised down.

Campaigners warn politicians ahead of significant change to child poverty statistics

Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Scottish Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Somerville defends child poverty plan as projections warn targets to be missed

The Scottish Government's new child poverty action plan does not go far enough, charities have warned.

The Scottish Government's new child poverty action plan does not go far enough, charities have warned.

Scotland's new child poverty plan is 'timid' and will 'leave too many behind'

First Minister John Swinney during an interview with the Press Association at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh.

First Minister John Swinney during an interview with the Press Association at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh.

John Swinney: Voters can judge me in 2031 if I miss child poverty target

'Scotland’s justice system is highly consistent, but consistency should not be confused with effectiveness'

'Scotland’s justice system is highly consistent, but consistency should not be confused with effectiveness'

Scotland’s justice system is efficient, but it is making poverty worse

Scotland became the first country in the UK to commit to ending the need for food banks in 2023 –

Scotland became the first country in the UK to commit to ending the need for food banks in 2023 –

2026 Holyrood election

Charity calls on Holyrood parties to 'end, not manage' child poverty

2026 Holyrood election

'Electorate needs parties to be honest about hard choices' facing government

Does the Scottish Child Payment remove incentive to work?

Does the Scottish Child Payment remove incentive to work?

Does the Scottish Child Payment really remove incentive to work?

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay MSP

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay MSP

Tories propose two-child limit on SNP flagship Scottish Child Payment

sarecen street possilepark glasgow.

sarecen street possilepark glasgow.

2026 Holyrood election

Here's why so many people in Scotland no longer believe politics works

The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland has backed The Herald's campaign.

The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland has backed The Herald's campaign.

2026 Holyrood election

Skint and scunnered Scots backing Reform UK and Scottish Greens according to new poll

Reader Comment: Regarding reports of child poverty

Reader Comment: Regarding reports of child poverty

Lifeline payments rushed to families facing 'financial calamity' in Scotland

The council welcomed a fall in child poverty in North Ayrshire

The council welcomed a fall in child poverty in North Ayrshire

'My daughter goes to school in shoes that leak because I can't afford new ones'

The Herald led a child poverty campaign last year.

The Herald led a child poverty campaign last year.

Scottish Child Payment to increase to £40 per week for babies under one

John Swinney’s big promise, from the moment he became SNP leader, was eliminating child poverty.

John Swinney’s big promise, from the moment he became SNP leader, was eliminating child poverty.

rebecca mcquillan

So the SNP has a plan to wipe out child poverty? You could have fooled me

The Scottish Government is running out of time to meet its child poverty targets, a leading charity has warned.

The Scottish Government is running out of time to meet its child poverty targets, a leading charity has warned.

'Running out of time': Budget warning as Scotland nears child poverty deadline

The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland has backed The Herald's campaign.

The Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland has backed The Herald's campaign.

Swinney to redirect millions to emergency welfare fund as Labour scrap two child cap

Labour MP Brian Leishman calls on his party to welcome more left wing voices.

Labour MP Brian Leishman calls on his party to welcome more left wing voices.

Labour MP Brian Leishman calls for more left-wing voices to shape party policy

Concerns raised about meeting child poverty targets by leading charity.

Concerns raised about meeting child poverty targets by leading charity.

2026 Holyrood election

'Scrapping two-child limit not enough to meet poverty targets in Scotland'

Scrapping the two-child limit is welcome, but Scotland remains far off meeting child poverty targets, says Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Chris Birt

Scrapping the two-child limit is welcome, but Scotland remains far off meeting child poverty targets, says Joseph Rowntree Foundation's Chris Birt

Chris Birt: Scrapping the two-child limit cannot be height of Scotland's ambitions

The costs of raising a child in 2025 have been revealed by a new report

The costs of raising a child in 2025 have been revealed by a new report

Cost of raising child to 18 revealed as parents struggle to cover essentials

The Scottish Government must use the two-child benefit cap mitigation funding to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

The Scottish Government must use the two-child benefit cap mitigation funding to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Charities demand two-child cap mitigation is used to increase Scottish Child Payment

Kirsty McNeill in the Scotland Office in Edinburgh

Kirsty McNeill in the Scotland Office in Edinburgh

UK Gov minister: Scrapping two-child limit too early would've been 'worst thing'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to RAF Lossiemouth

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a visit to RAF Lossiemouth

UK government vows 'largest reduction' in child poverty but charities sceptical

Prime Minister to visit Glasgow today to highlight action on poverty

The Herald launched Scotland's Forgotten Children - a campaign - in April.

The Herald launched Scotland's Forgotten Children - a campaign - in April.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

We campaigned to scrap the two-child benefit cap - and this is why it matters

The two-child benefit cap looks set to be scrapped.

The two-child benefit cap looks set to be scrapped.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Chancellor set to scrap two-child benefit cap in win for The Herald campaign

Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Chancellor Rachel Reeves

Chancellor 'to end two child benefit cap in the Budget' this week

Save the Children has warned the Scottish Government must 'rebuild' trust on tackling child poverty.

Save the Children has warned the Scottish Government must 'rebuild' trust on tackling child poverty.

Politicians must 'rebuild trust' to meet child poverty targets

Ms Murray condemned Scotland’s “glacial” pace at tackling the crisis, with one in four children living in relative poverty and at least 80,000 in very deep poverty.

Ms Murray condemned Scotland’s “glacial” pace at tackling the crisis, with one in four children living in relative poverty and at least 80,000 in very deep poverty.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

'Shameful': Charity boss condemns 'judgy' child poverty attitude in call to Swinney

Fiona Steel, National Director for Scotland at Action for Children.

Fiona Steel, National Director for Scotland at Action for Children.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Scotland must not 'write off' problematic children, charity warns in poverty call

Peter Capaldi reflects on Glasgow, the city he once called home.

Peter Capaldi reflects on Glasgow, the city he once called home.

Peter Capaldi: 'Glasgow has gone backwards - deep problems remain'

Programme Name: Doctor Who - TX: 22/08/2014 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: The Doctor (PETER CAPALDI) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy

Programme Name: Doctor Who - TX: 22/08/2014 - Episode: n/a (No. n/a) - Picture Shows: The Doctor (PETER CAPALDI) - (C) BBC - Photographer: Guy Levy

Peter Capaldi moved by Herald reporter’s powerful story of growing up in poverty

Peter Capaldi has backed The Herald's campaign.

Peter Capaldi has backed The Herald's campaign.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

'Kids are suffering': Doctor Who star backs The Herald's child poverty campaign

A single mum has told how the Scottish Child Payment has made a 'massive difference'

A single mum has told how the Scottish Child Payment has made a 'massive difference'

Scottish child payment should be nearly tripled to £80, child health experts say

Scotland is on course to miss its child poverty reduction targets by a “large margin”.

Scotland is on course to miss its child poverty reduction targets by a “large margin”.

'Unacceptable:' Scotland to miss targets to reduce child poverty by 'large margin'

Nearly one in four children in Scotland is in poverty

Nearly one in four children in Scotland is in poverty

Pledges made, promises broken: Scotland’s child poverty crisis persists

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer ‘wants to' scrap two-child benefit cap, minister insists

John Swinney admitted child poverty in Scotland is not falling fast enough.

John Swinney admitted child poverty in Scotland is not falling fast enough.

John Swinney: Scotland's child poverty rates 'not falling fast enough'