Scotland's Forgotten Children

Rebecca McCurdy

More than 12,000 children are severely absent from Scottish schools.

Getting it right for every child? Not with 12,000 severely absent from school

Severe absence is treated as a problem with pupils and parents. My own experience – and the lives of 12,402 Scottish children – tells a different story.

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

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'

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

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

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

Some Scottish children have been waiting for years for a CAMHS assessment.

Some Scottish children have been waiting for years for a CAMHS assessment.

Charity boss warns Scotland 'can't CAMHS way out of child mental health emergency'

Child poverty targets will only be met if Scottish Government mitigates UK Government welfare

Child poverty targets will only be met if Scottish Government mitigates UK Government welfare

Scottish Child Payment

Study finds Scottish Child Payment cuts deprivation and food insecurity

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'

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

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

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

Vote for The Herald's Scotland's Forgotten Children series to win regional campaign of the year

Vote for The Herald's Scotland's Forgotten Children series to win regional campaign of the year

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Let's make a difference: Vote for The Herald’s child poverty campaign

103,424 Children's Panel hearings were held over the last five years.

103,424 Children's Panel hearings were held over the last five years.

Children protection 'emergency' as 100,000 panel hearings held since 2020

Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer over the two-child benefit cap.

Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer over the two-child benefit cap.

Two-child benefit cap

Scottish Labour MPs increase pressure on Starmer over two-child benefit cap

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'

John Swinney at the Oakwood medical practice in Easterhouse

John Swinney at the Oakwood medical practice in Easterhouse

I’ve listened to families across Scotland — this is what they really need

The Scottish Government is 'not at all likely' to meet 2030 targets despite pledge from Shirley-Anne Somerville.

The Scottish Government is 'not at all likely' to meet 2030 targets despite pledge from Shirley-Anne Somerville.

SNP minister rejects claim child poverty targets will be 'substantially missed'

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves sets out her spending review on Wednesday.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves sets out her spending review on Wednesday.

Charity warns of unbearable poverty if benefit cap maintained in spending review

John Swinney with Katy Loudon, SNP candidate in the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

John Swinney with Katy Loudon, SNP candidate in the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

SNP's Katy Loudon takes different Scottish Child Payment stance to John Swinney

The Herald wrote to the Scottish and UK Governments on child poverty.

The Herald wrote to the Scottish and UK Governments on child poverty.

Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election

Swinney and Sarwar 'not doing enough' on child poverty in by-election seat

The new research finds that children across the UK are being 'priced out of school'

The new research finds that children across the UK are being 'priced out of school'

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Report reveals children 'priced out of school' across the UK

Downing Street has confirmed it is considering scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Downing Street has confirmed it is considering scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Two-child benefit cap

Benefit cap being abolished gives Swinney 'opportunity' on Scottish Child Payment

This is what it's like to go to school hungry.

This is what it's like to go to school hungry.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

I've been the child going to school with debilitating hunger - here's what it's like

The scale of food poverty amongst school children is increasing, Magic Breakfast warned.

The scale of food poverty amongst school children is increasing, Magic Breakfast warned.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

'Too hungry to learn': Scale of food hunger in school leads teachers to feed children

The Herald joined with 23 charities to urge Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the child benefit cap.

The Herald joined with 23 charities to urge Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the child benefit cap.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Pressure mounts on Starmer to abolish two-child benefit cap

John Swinney speaks to The Herald as it launches series on child poverty

John Swinney speaks to The Herald as it launches series on child poverty

Scottish Government admits no evidence for First Minister’s child payment claim

First Minister John Swinney

First Minister John Swinney

Can John Swinney really claim child poverty is his top priority?

The new child poverty plan referenced in the Programme for Government has been a legal requirement since 2017.

The new child poverty plan referenced in the Programme for Government has been a legal requirement since 2017.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Swinney's 'new' plan on child poverty was made a legal requirement in 2017

John Swinney will set out his Programme for Government on Tuesday.

John Swinney will set out his Programme for Government on Tuesday.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Scotland's 'broken' public sector entrenches families into poverty, Swinney told

Scotland's public sector manages poverty but it is time to start ending it

Scotland's public sector manages poverty but it is time to start ending it

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Scotland's public sector manages poverty but it is time to start ending it

SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of the Aberlour children's charity

SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of the Aberlour children's charity

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Swinney warned child poverty inaction is 'deliberate act of state harm'

In Scotland, the problem is lack of government action. “We want to see the Scottish Government use the full extent of its powers to tackle poverty,” Telfer says.

In Scotland, the problem is lack of government action. “We want to see the Scottish Government use the full extent of its powers to tackle poverty,” Telfer says.

NEIL MACKAY'S BIG READ

Scotland's Forgotten Children

‘I feel rage’ Save the Children boss demands action on Scottish child poverty scandal

'Undeserving': Parent speaks after Swinney responds to Scottish Child Payment call

'Undeserving': Parent speaks after Swinney responds to Scottish Child Payment call

Scotland's Forgotten Children

'Undeserving': Parent speaks after Swinney responds to Scottish Child Payment call

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Lessons to Learn 🎓

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Have we tried this novel idea that will close the attainment gap?

How sincere was John Swinney's child poverty response to The Herald?

How sincere was John Swinney's child poverty response to The Herald?

How sincere is John Swinney in his mission to eradicate child poverty?

First Minister John Swinney responded to The Herald's child poverty.

First Minister John Swinney responded to The Herald's child poverty.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

In full: John Swinney responds to The Herald's open letter on child poverty

John Swinney is being urged to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

John Swinney is being urged to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

UK Government inaction cannot exonerate Scottish ministers from child poverty action

First Minister John Swinney speaks to Rebecca McCurdy on child poverty at Bute House in Edinburgh.

First Minister John Swinney speaks to Rebecca McCurdy on child poverty at Bute House in Edinburgh.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

'Committed to going further’: Swinney responds to The Herald's child poverty campaign

Darren McGarvey

Darren McGarvey

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Darren McGarvey: Fear of elections stop politicians from tackling child poverty

The Herald is calling on the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

The Herald is calling on the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish Child Payment.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Does the Scottish Child Payment work and how much would the £40 increase cost?

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.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

Progress 'welcome but Scottish Government not going far enough' on child poverty

Hardship and food poverty costs the Scottish economy £5.6 billion each year.

Hardship and food poverty costs the Scottish economy £5.6 billion each year.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

The staggering cost of poverty and hardship on Scotland's economy revealed

The Herald launches a campaign urging the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40.

The Herald launches a campaign urging the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish Child Payment to £40.

Scotland's Forgotten Children

In full: The Herald's open letter to John Swinney on Scottish Child Payment