'Outrageous' number of Scots children trapped in severe poverty

26/01/2010

Charity warns government targets look 'increasingly hollow'

The number of children living in the most severe poverty in

Scotland

has completely frozen, according to new research by charity Save the Children.

Around 95,000 children - almost 10% of all children in

Scotland

– are living in families surviving on a household income of less than £33 per day.

The charity warned that the effects of the recession could push poorer Scots deeper into poverty and that government promises on the 2020 target to end child poverty are looking “increasingly hollow”.

The new research, conducted by the New Policy Institute shows that the poorest families in

Scotland

are on average, a massive £113 a week short of what they need to cover essentials such as bills, clothes, washing and transport.

Douglas Hamilton, Save the Children’s Head of Scotland said: “We are absolutely outraged that so many children have to go without essentials - we’re talking about winter coats and proper shoes, real basics that families just can’t afford. Every child deserves a fair chance in life and none should be left behind.

“With unemployment at the current levels, there’s now a danger that child poverty could rise even further without some immediate and definite action”.

The study also shows more than two thirds of all children in severe poverty live in families where no adults work.