The most recent report on poverty and income inequality in Scotland was published on the 23rd of March 2023. It stands as a mark of failure over the Scottish Government, which has failed to reduce the proportion of children, adults and pensioners living in poverty since the SNP took power in 2007. At this time it was a key issue the government sought to address, and it has remained this way in the three elections since then. The inability of the Scottish Government to reduce poverty rates in the country is indicative of a failed approach, a lack of workable strategies, and a limited pool of ideas.
The report found that 24 percent of children were living in relative poverty after housing costs were taken into account, representing 1 in 4 of all Scottish children. This figure remains almost unchanged from 2007, and marks the continuation of a steady increase from the 20 percent recorded in 2012. These children were significantly more likely to come from minority ethnic households, within which almost 40 percent of children lived in relative poverty, despite the Scottish Government’s repeated commitments to reducing racial disparities with regards to poverty. In addition, almost 70 percent of children living in relative poverty are now living in working households, up from 50 percent in 2007. Clearly, as the Scottish Government focuses on the low unemployment figures which have just been released, they forget the real impacts that the cost-of-living crisis is having on the nation’s families, even if they are employed.
The report also found that children living in poverty are much more likely to be living in households which lack food security. This was defined as living in households in which the members were worried about running out of food, or had already skipped meals and reduced portion sizes. Across the nation, 80 percent of children lived in households which reported high food security, and only 5 percent of children reported very low food security. However, among children in relative poverty, barely over half lived in families which were food secure, and 1 in 8 lived in households with very low food security. Directly impacted by the sever inflation of basic food items, this is a pressing issue which the government has so far been unable to act upon.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative MSP for the Lothian region submitted an amendment to a proposed motion supporting reducing child poverty where he noted the failure to reduce child poverty levels since 2007. He continued, noting: “The Scottish Government’s failure to close the attainment gap and to deliver free school meals for all primary children” as well as refusing to work with the UK government to help ensure all children are given the nutrition they need, and don’t instead go hungry.
The report should act as a wake up call to the Scottish Government that the continued promises and motions have not reduced poverty levels in Scotland, which remain far too high. A change of approach is clearly needed – it is questionable whether the same government which has been in place for sixteen years will be able to accomplish this.