Parliament investigates child poverty
23 Apr 08
Holyrood committee calls for evidence to identify key action points
Child poverty in Scotland is to be investigated in an inquiry launched at the Scottish Parliament today. The Local Government and Communities Committee has issued a call for evidence on the measures that would make the most immediate practical difference.
An estimated 90,000 children live in severe and persistent poverty in Scotland. Top of the list of issues to be addressed by the committee is the scrutiny arrangements for the targets for halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020.
Committee convener Duncan McNeil MSP said the committee wanted to identify those areas where action would bring about the most immediate and significant difference, such as how the targets could best be met.
“Child poverty adversely affects every aspect of a child’s life including their health, education, future employment and well-being", Mr McNeil commented.
“Securing a childhood that is poverty free and ensuring that today’s children can fully realise their potential as tomorrow’s active citizens is an issue that deserves our attention.”
Other issues to be addressed by the committee include:
- the role of single outcome agreements and community planning partnerships in relation to policy and service delivery;
- the role of the committee in measuring what is happening in relation to child poverty targets on a regular basis;
- supporting parents into, and remaining in, decently paid work;
- practical issues around maximising the takeup of benefits; and
- equality issues and the issue of sections of society being left behind and remaining out of reach of policies designed to reduce poverty.
The committee decided to launch its inquiry after hearing evidence from a number of organisations at a round table event in Glasgow in March, which featured among others Save the Children, One Parent Families and the Child Poverty Action Group.
Further details of the inquiry can be read here. The closing date for submissions is 27 June 2008.