THE OPPORTUNITY TO ERADICATE CHILD POVERTY IN SCOTLAND
By Neil Mathers, Head of Save the Children in Scotland
In our last edition we argued that there is a ‘paradox of poverties‘ in Scotland with complex patterns of low income and deprivation in different parts of the country.
In this edition Neil Mathers responds, arguing that: “We have the opportunity to be the generation that eradicates child poverty in Scotland.”
The debate on child poverty is not a new one, it has rumbled on for decades - charities have called for action, politicians have argued about it in Parliament - many have refused to acknowledge that it even exists.
But what do we mean when we say ‘child poverty?’ We could argue about definitions for this entire article but it just detracts from the issue at hand and gets in the way of our fight to change the lives of the poorest children. At Save the Children, we believe that child poverty is about children living in households that don’t have enough money to enable children to grow, develop and fulfil their potential.
By 2020 it is forecast that there will be as many as one in four children in Scotland living in families that struggle financially.
We know that that the numbers of children growing up in poverty is set to worsen. By 2020 it is forecast that there will be as many as one in four children in Scotland living in families that struggle financially.
Recent reports estimate that the cost of child poverty to the UK is £29billion and is set to rise. This highlights a strong economic and social argument for creating policies and approaches that tackle the root causes of poverty. In Scotland alone, child poverty costs public services up to 0.75billion a year and underachievement in schools adds on a further £1billion in Scotland per annum.
“Winter is really bad – we have ice on the inside of our windows, the whole way up to the top of the window. My main thing with not having an awful lot of money is that I’m afraid to put the heating on.
I’ve cut back on absolutely everything, I’ve really cut back. I’m not different to a lot of other people but we’re living it day in, day out.
Some days you get up and you’re like ‘we’re skint and that’s all there is to it’ and other days you get up and one too many bills have come in on the same day and I’ve just burst into tears”.
Winter is really bad – we have ice on the inside of our windows, the whole way up to the top of the window. My main thing with not having an awful lot of money is that I’m afraid to put the heating on.
The Scottish Government is taking some major steps – the Child Poverty Strategy sets out a strong vision and tackles the right policy areas including financial security and securing resources for children to thrive and reach their potential. However, the gap between ambition and action remains. The Scottish Government needs to act with greater urgency to ensure the Child Poverty strategy is put into practice.
Investing in parents and communities to support their children’s education is an investment in our future as a society.
Efforts to engage parents and support them to improve the home learning environment are also important in helping children to learn and achieve at school. Investing in parents and communities to support their children’s education is an investment in our future as a society.
In Scotland, we have an opportunity to be the generation that eradicates child poverty. Nelson Mandela pointed out that poverty, like slavery and apartheid, is not natural, it is man-made and can therefore be overcome by our actions. It is simply a matter of justice.
By Neil Mathers, Head of Save the Children in Scotland
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE
- Editorial
- Scotland's Digital Connectivity
- In My View...
- Dundee: From Waterfront redevelopment to city economy regeneration
- Scottish Universities And Reputation Management
- Energy Master Planning And Sustainability
- This land is our land ? Or is it?
- How is Scotland Weathering the Storm? Can other small countries learn from the 'Scottish model'?
- Social Business Can Transform Public Services
- Whistleblowing - prevention better than the cure
- Lessons From The 3rd Annual School Business Managers Conference
- The Opportunity to eradicate child poverty in Scotland
- Positive About Planning
- Policy Shorts
- Rail freight, the economy, the environment and the Highlands
Issue 6
TRAINING, SKILLS, EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMY
- Securing Futures For Our Young People
- Christie Commission Principles In The Employability And Skills Sector
- Training and education for public service workers mustn't be forgotten
- A New Deal For Scotland's Colleges?
- What do our human rights and business have in common? A missed opportunity, that's what.
- Imagining the future of higher education
- Buying into a brighter future: Why public procurement is a career of choice for professionals, graduates and school leavers
- Chill winds blow on Further Education
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