Child poverty in Scotland ‘could be exacerbated’ by coronavirus pandemic

Around a quarter of children in Scotland have experienced relative poverty. Picture: Getty

Between 2016 and 2019, some 19 per cent of people of all ages, and 24 per cent of children, were found to be living in relative poverty after housing costs.

This is around 230,000 children and is the same proportion as the previous three-year period.

With unprecedented numbers of people applying for Universal Credit as businesses across the country are closed and self-employed contracts are cancelled due to global pandemic, Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone said emergency measures should protect more children from falling into poverty.

“The latest figures show a real need to ensure more children don’t fall below the poverty line,” she said.

“These figures represent the extent of child poverty up until last April and the severe economic impact of COVID-19 will mean that even more families will now be struggling.

“That’s why we need to make support easy to access and available to everyone who needs it.

“We need to ensure all families affected are encouraged to apply for the Scottish and UK benefits that are due to them, and to the emergency support schemes in place.”

Median household incomes in Scotland continue to rise, while income inequality has been fluctuating since the data started being gathered in the mid-1990s.

The Scottish Government aims to reduce relative child poverty to 10% by 2031.

Charities warned the coronavirus crisis will make the situation worse for many families in Scotland.

Peter Kelly, director of Poverty Alliance, said: “Today’s figures paint a shocking picture of poverty in Scotland, with one in five people living in poverty even before Covid-19 hit.

“The figures also show that one in four children lives in poverty and two-thirds of these children live in a household where at least one parent is in work.”

He added: “In the coming months, thousands more risk being plunged into poverty as unemployment rises.

“In just nine days, the DWP has already reported almost 500,000 new applications for Universal Credit.

“This is a huge concern when its inbuilt five-week delay pulls so many into debt and deeper poverty.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “We remain committed to tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland but we know that the current health emergency will take its toll on child poverty levels.

“That is why right now we are making major efforts to support people’s health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes an additional £350 million to aid councils and the third sector to support people and communities at this unprecedented time.

“We are aware that people will be facing financial hardship which is why we are reminding people there is help and support available – a message given by the First Minister today in her daily briefing.”