Poverty
Table of contents
Poverty is one of the issues children and young people have asked us to continue to focus on. They have told us they are worried about the impact poverty has on them, other children, and their families and friends.
The UNCRC says every child has the right to a standard of living that supports their physical, mental, moral and social development. Living in poverty affects every part of a child’s life, including their rights to physical and mental health, to education, to access opportunities to socialise and play.
Child poverty is not inevitable. It is a result of active decisions made by governments. We continue to focus on holding the government to account on its commitments to address child poverty, including ensuring that children and young people experiencing poverty are meaningfully involved in decisions that affect their lives.
Our work on poverty
Children Experiencing Poverty in Scotland
A Review of Sources Reflecting Children’s Voices and Experiences June 2025
Consultation Response to the Scottish Government – Child Poverty Strategy
April 2025 Child Poverty levels in Scotland remain unacceptably high. Article 26 of the UNCRC recognises a right for all children to benefit from social security and Article 27 requires
Housing (Scotland) Bill – Stage 2 briefing – Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
This briefing has been prepared for members of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee ahead of their consideration of the above Bill at Stage 2. We previously submitted evidence
Response to the UK Government inquiry on the reform of the Child Maintenance Service
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland October 2025 Established by the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003, the Commissioner is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the
Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights – ‘A Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth’
March 2025 The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland are pleased to be able to provide input to the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. Established by the
Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill: Consultation response
Scotland has a legal target to reach ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions and changing the way we heat our homes and workplaces is an important part of that journey. How we heat our homes and workplaces should be considered through a children’s rights lens. This is our response to the consultation on the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill.
Response to Scottish Government Consultation on the Draft Climate Change Plan
January 2026 Section 1: Delivering a Just Transition Question 1 What are your views on our approach to delivering a just transition for people and communities? Tackling poverty is an
What children and young people told us?
30% (nearly 1 in 3) told us that the cost-of-living, poverty and having a home will be a bigger concern for children and young people in the future.
19% said they would make sure every child has a warm home.
Children said they wanted to end food poverty.
Children said they wanted to tackle the cost-of-living crisis.
What young people said…
“My family can barely afford food and rent.”
“My mum and dad are struggling to pay bills. Everything is so expensive.”
“It can affect many aspects of your life.”
“I think there should be free school meals for children in primary school and high school. Not everyone can afford to get a school dinner.”
More poverty news
Government plans to deliver on child poverty must reflect what children and young people tell us
Our office has long-called for children and young people to be meaningfully involved in informing the Child Poverty delivery plans. We need to see visible priority given to acting on child poverty including acting on the priorities of children and young people themselves.
Children’s Commissioner backs calls for more scrutiny of child poverty progress
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.
Children’s Commissioner on child poverty: “Progress has been made but it’s too slow.”
Commissioner urges for more action on child poverty, after Scottish Government published its Child Poverty Delivery Plan.
Statement: Children’s Commissioner responds to UK Government scrapping two-child benefit cap
We’re pleased that the UK Government has finally committed to end the discriminatory two-child benefit cap.
UNCRC incorporation, new legal powers, meaningful participation: Our Annual Report covers a special year for children’s rights
Today we publish our Annual Report, covering the period from 1 April, 2024, until 31 March, 2025, and Commissioner Nicola Killean’s first full year in the role.
Joint statement from UK Children’s Commissioners to tackle root causes of child poverty
In 2025, it is unacceptable that any child is growing up in shocking levels of poverty, going without basics like food, clothing, heating, safe housing and other essentials.
Commissioner’s five key points for child rights-based Scottish Budget
The Scottish Budget will be published this week, the first since the UNCRC (Incorporation)(Scotland) Act came into force. Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean writes ahead of the Scottish Budget: 2024-2025, outlining the five key things she wants to see within it.
Call to end school meal debt
Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean has joined leading charities and third sector organisations in calling on the Scottish Government to end school meal debt and hidden hunger.
Commissioner supports proposal for law to ensure youth work provision
Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean fully supports a proposal to make sure that children across Scotland have access to well-funded, and high-quality youth work services. Speaking on the launch of the Martin Whitfield MSP’s proposed Youth Work (Scotland Bill), the Children’s Commissioner was clear that youth work is rights work, and it is critical that it is accessible and delivered for all children.
Youth work is rights work, and it needs to be properly resourced, says Children’s Commissioner
Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean emphasised the critical role youth workers play in upholding children’s rights at the YouthLink conference in Glasgow today, urging protection for youth services from budget cuts.
Children’s Commissioner slams Scottish Government’s ‘broken promise to children’ on free school meals
Speaking ahead of the parliamentary debate tabled for tomorrow (Wednesday 11/09) the Children and Young People’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean urged the Scottish Government to reverse its decision to only expand
Statement: Commissioner responds to UK Government decision not to abolish two-child benefit cap
We are very disappointed that the UK Government has not committed to end the discriminatory two-child benefit cap, which is a clear violation of children’s rights.
Our Annual Report is published – and marks an incredibly exciting year
Today we publish our Annual Report, covering the period from 1 April, 2023, until 31 March, 2024. It’s been a busy time for the office as we welcomed a new Children’s Commissioner, Nicola Killean. As ever, the insights, voices, and experiences of children and young people have been at the heart of our work.
Our Plan 2024-28 is launched today – and it has children and young people at its heart
Today we’re introducing our plan for the next four years and it has been built around children and young people’s views.
Children’s Commissioner warns energy regulator: “Your actions can help struggling families or push them further into poverty”
Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean has urged Ofgem to reconsider its decision to once again allow pre-payment meters to be forcibly fitted in homes – telling its Chief Executive that Ofgem “can choose to either mitigate or contribute to poverty.”
Statement: Ofgem must do more to protect children’s rights from impact of forced pre-payment meters and energy disconnection
Ofgem has given the green light for three companies to resume forcing pre-payment meters into homes. Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, expressed disappointment, highlighting the risks to vulnerable families, including those with disabled children reliant on medical equipment. Despite updated guidance from Ofgem, our office has argued it falls short in safeguarding children from energy disconnection consequences. With many children already in poverty, we urge Ofgem to enhance the guidance for broader protection.
More poverty work
Letter to the Prime Minister on strengthening children’s legal protections in Scotland
The Commissioner has written to the Prime Minister proposing a practical change to the Scotland Act 1998. The change would allow Scotland’s UNCRC Act to apply more consistently when Scottish
Letter to Parliament on child poverty scrutiny
Together with children’s charities and anti-poverty organisations, the Commissioner has written to the Scottish Parliament calling for stronger scrutiny of progress on ending child poverty.
Response to Scottish Government Consultation on the Draft Climate Change Plan
January 2026 Section 1: Delivering a Just Transition Question 1 What are your views on our approach to delivering a just transition for people and communities? Tackling poverty is an
National Bus Travel Concession Schemes (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Order 2026
January 2026. We provided a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee on the above order. 1. Prior to the instrument being laid, were you aware
Annual Report 2024 – 2025
Our Annual Report covers the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, marking Commissioner Nicola Killean’s first full year in the role. It reflects a landmark moment for children’s rights in Scotland, with the UNCRC incorporated into Scots law for the first time — the most significant change to the office’s powers since its creation in 2003.
Response to the UK Government inquiry on the reform of the Child Maintenance Service
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland October 2025 Established by the Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2003, the Commissioner is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the
Housing (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3 Briefing
September 2025 – We provided MSPs with a briefing prior to the debate at stage 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. We continue to be supportive of the aims of the
Housing (Scotland) Bill – Stage 3 Briefing
September 2025 – We provided MSPs with a briefing prior to the debate at stage 3 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. We continue to be supportive of the aims of the
Social Justice and Social Security Committee: Call for views on the Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill
The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland supports the Bill’s focus on sustainable development but recommends addressing wellbeing through existing human rights laws and opposes a new Future Generations Commissioner due to overlap with current bodies.
Social Justice and Social Security Committee
Call for Views on the Future Social Security Spending in Scotland What is the evidence that spending on devolved social security is effective in supporting those who need it? In
Submission to the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights – ‘A Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth’
March 2025 The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland are pleased to be able to provide input to the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. Established by the
Consultation Response to the Scottish Government – Mitigation of the Two- Child Cap
April 2025 We are supportive of the Scottish Government commitment to mitigating the effects of the two-child benefit cap for claimants of Universal Credit and see this as a positive
Housing (Scotland) Bill – Stage 2 briefing – Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee
This briefing has been prepared for members of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee ahead of their consideration of the above Bill at Stage 2. We previously submitted evidence
Consultation Response to the Scottish Government – Child Poverty Strategy
April 2025 Child Poverty levels in Scotland remain unacceptably high. Article 26 of the UNCRC recognises a right for all children to benefit from social security and Article 27 requires
Children Experiencing Poverty in Scotland
A Review of Sources Reflecting Children’s Voices and Experiences June 2025
Proposed Youth Work Bill
February 2025. We responded to MSP Martin Whitfield’s proposal for a Youth Work Bill. Youth work in Scotland plays an important role in ensuring children can access their UNCRC rights.
Response to Consultation on Flood Resilience
How can decision makers ensure that actions taken to improve flood resilience align with the aims of a Just Transition to achieve a fairer, greener future? Scotland (along with the
Letter to the First Minister: School meal debt
This letter, sent on the 1st of December 2024, is addressed to the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney and advocates for ending school meal debt and addressing hidden hunger among children in Scotland.
Housing (Scotland) Bill – MSP Briefing – Stage One
We support the general principles of this Bill and encourage you to give it your support at Stage 1. This Bill will help Scotland meet its international human rights obligations
Response to Consultation on ‘Restricting Promotions of Food and Drink High in Fat, Sugar or Salt’
In May 2024 we responded to the Scottish Governments consultation on ‘Restricting Promotions of Food and Drink High in Fat, Sugar or Salt’ – in this we highlighted the unintended consequences this policy may have on children and young people experiencing poverty
Response to Consultation on the Housing (Scotland) Bill
In May 2024 we responded to the consultation on the Housing (Scotland) Bill – in our response we highlighted our concerns for children and young people living in poverty especially those facing housing issues and homelessness
Response to Call for inputs by Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change and “Access to information on climate change and human rights”
In June 2024 we responded to the Call for inputs by Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change and “Access to information on climate change and human rights” to highlight how this relates to the rights of children and young people
Annual Report 2023-24
Our 2023/2024 Annual Report, covering a big year for children’s human rights in Scotland. We also have a report for younger people and an Easy Read version.
Response to the Climate Change Adaptation Plan Consultation.
Many children and young people are concerned about the current and potential future effects of climate change in Scotland and around the world. Children and young people are disproportionately affected by the effects of climate change. The proposed Adaptation Plan has the potential to mitigate this.
Proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill: Consultation response
Scotland has a legal target to reach ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions and changing the way we heat our homes and workplaces is an important part of that journey. How we heat our homes and workplaces should be considered through a children’s rights lens. This is our response to the consultation on the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill.
Our Plan 2024-28
Engaging the voices of children and young people is at the core of our mission for the next four years. Introducing ‘Your Rights, Our Plan,’ a comprehensive resource pack designed to empower adults in guiding children and young people through vital discussions about our work. Packed with videos, PowerPoints, and a survey, this resource facilitates conversations around six key questions, shaping the roadmap for Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killean’s Strategic Plan.
Letter to Ofgem: the severe impact of its decisions on children
Letter to Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) raising concerns for children in relation to important recent decisions made by Ofgem. Ofgem has allowed three companies (EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power) to restart force-fitting pre-payment meters, and that from January 2024 the energy price cap would be raised allowing energy companies to charge more per unit of energy.
Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes: consultation
December 2023 We have responded to this Scottish Government consultation, highlighting the importance of fully accessible housing to disabled children and young people. Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability, and usability of
Your Rights, Our Plan
Engaging the voices of children and young people is at the core of our mission for the next four years. Introducing ‘Your Rights, Our Plan,’ a comprehensive resource pack designed to empower adults in guiding children and young people through vital discussions about our work. Packed with videos, PowerPoints, and a survey, this resource facilitates conversations around six key questions, shaping the roadmap for Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Nicola Killean’s Strategic Plan.
What does the UNCRC say?
The UNCRC says every child has the right to a standard of living that supports their development. This includes enough food, clothing, warmth, safe housing and the support they need to grow and thrive.
Poverty affects many other rights too. It can make it harder for children to access education, health care, play, transport, family support and opportunities in their community. Children experiencing poverty should be listened to, and decisions about budgets, services and support should put their rights and best interests first.
Article 2 – All children have these rights no matter what their differences are
The UNCRC applies to all under 18s, with no exceptions. Governments should make sure that every child has equal access to their rights. Governments should make sure that children are protected against discrimination.
Article 3 – Adults must do what’s best for me.
When adults make decisions, they should think how they affect children and do what is best for them.
Article 4 – Governments must make sure that children’s rights are protected.
Governments must make sure that children’s rights are protected. Governments must make sure other people respect children’s rights.
Article 6 – Children have the right to life.
Children have the right to life. Governments should make sure that children develop and grow healthily and should protect them from things which could hurt them.
Article 12 – I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously.
When adults are making decisions that affect children they should ask them what they think. Adults should take account of children’s views when making the decision. Children should be supported to give their views in a way that is best for them.
Article 18 – I have the right to support from both parents, if possible.
Both parents share the responsibility for bringing up children. Parents should always consider what is best for each child. Governments should help parents by providing services to support them to be better parents.
Article 24 – I have the right to be as healthy as possible.
Governments should make sure children can get good quality health care. Governments should make sure children have nutritious food and a clean environment so they can stay healthy.
Article 27 – I have the right to have a proper home, food and clothing.
Governments should make sure families have access to good housing, healthy food and warm clothing.
Article 28 – I have the right to an education.
Governments should make sure children can get an education without it costing their family money. Schools should respect my dignity. Children should be able to stay in secondary education as long as they want.
Article 31- I have a right to rest, relax and play.
Adults should make sure children have the chance to play and relax in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment. Governments should make sure children can be part of cultural and artistic activities. When decisions are made about activities in the community, adults should include children in planning these
Article 36 – I have the right not to be used by adults in ways that harm me
Governments should protect children from work or other activities that could harm their welfare.
Article 39 – I have the right to help to get better if I have been hurt or badly treated.
Governments should have laws to protect children from harm. If they are hurt, neglected or badly treated, governments should provide children with special help to help them get better.
Article 42 – Everyone should know about children’s rights.
Governments should make sure that adults and children know about the UNCRC. They should make sure they do this in an appropriate and active way.