Stronger scrutiny on child poverty

Together with children’s charities and anti-poverty organisations, the Commissioner has written to the Scottish Parliament calling for a dedicated committee to hold government to account on ending child poverty. 

The letter warns that more must be done if Scotland is to meet its legally binding child poverty targets by 2030/31. 

It says: “Parliament has the power to ensure that government is making every effort to reach those targets and lift as many children and families out of poverty as it can. 

“Children have a right to grow up and live free from poverty, and Parliament, as well as government, has a duty to uphold that right through ensuring that legislation and policy in Scotland is consistent with duties contained within the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.” 

The letter calls for stronger parliamentary scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s progress. It says: “We believe a Cross-Committee working closely together with shared oversight and scrutiny would demonstrate the cross portfolio and urgent nature of ending child poverty, as well as provide a clearer structure and mechanism for accountability that reflects the vital role that Parliament has to play in helping make Scotland a country where no child grows up in poverty.” 

Signatories also ask Parliament to consider establishing a People’s Panel on ending child poverty, so children and families can directly inform and influence the work of the proposed Cross-Committee and the wider work of Parliament. 

The letter ends: “This must be the Parliament where we prioritise ending child poverty above all else.”