Analysis: Parents on low incomes need to keep more of their earnings

THE research is a hard-hitting example of the effect that the recession is having on families, especially those already struggling to survive on lower incomes.

ith a typical family now needing £37,000 to achieve the minimum income standard, it is little wonder that more and more are struggling to put nutritious food on the table and to pay the bills. Projected figures show that child poverty will rise significantly in the next eight years in Scotland. We know more families are struggling in Scotland and it’s something that we see every day – families who are going without basics when times are only getting tougher.

In trying to reform the benefit system the government is in danger of condemning a whole generation of Scottish children to a life of poverty. Average childcare costs in Scotland are more than half of average part-time weekly earnings – more than anywhere else in the world – and such high costs have the greatest consequences for the poorest families.

Parents on low incomes need to be given more help with childcare costs, to have jobs that pay a decent wage and to be allowed to keep more of their earnings before they lose their benefits.

• Douglas Hamilton is head of Save the Children in Scotland