Pledges by Scotland’s political parties ahead of the upcoming Holyrood election fall “well short” of what is needed to meet child poverty targets, a charity has said.
Analysis of party manifestos by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) indicates that while most highlight poverty as a key issue, they do not contain “the scale of action or ambition required”.
Under Scotland’s legally-binding child poverty targets, relative child poverty rates must be cut to less than 10% by 2030/31, which means lifting 100,000 children out of poverty.
The charity said failing to meet the targets would mean that thousands of children would “continue to miss out on the secure childhood” they deserve.
Rhetorical commitment to tackling child poverty has not been in short supply, but it is action that is required
The report said: “Rhetorical commitment to tackling child poverty has not been in short supply, but it is action that is required.
“And whether taken individually or even together, the manifestos do not contain the scale of action, or ambition, to meet those targets.
“Without course correction, the next parliament will not deliver its promises to the electorate, nor will the next Scottish Government meet the legal requirements the parliament has put them under.”
The charity analysed the manifestos in key areas for tackling child poverty, including childcare, earned income and social security.
It also scrutinised pledges on tax, mental health support and housing.
The report added: “They fall well short of the action necessary to meet the child poverty targets, setting the next Scottish Government a challenge of matching their electoral rhetoric with action.”
Examining the manifestos, the analysis welcomed the “shared recognition” that current funding for early years childcare “does not meet the needs of families”, with many of the major parties pledging an expansion.
The charity argued this should focus on one and two-year-olds, be targeted first at those on low incomes and have flexibility for non-standard hours, shifts and school holidays.
It also criticised childcare proposals which are only for working families or are offered through tax-free childcare, which it said put those out of work at a disadvantage.
The JRF also said many of the parties put getting more people into good jobs as their central solution to poverty, and either downplay or criticise the role of social security.
But it said presenting social security investment or supporting people into work as an either/or choice is “as harmful as it is wrong” and would leave “many households behind”.
Chris Birt, associate director for Scotland at the JRF, said: “Whoever wins the election in just a few days’ time will have a difficult task to match the rhetoric of the campaign with the delivery that government demands.
“Public disaffection with politics is also concerningly high, with hardship at shocking levels across our society and low expectations around what politicians can deliver.
“But taking radical action to drive down child poverty and provide greater security for families in Scotland could be key to rebuilding that trust.
“The manifestos often diagnose the right areas for action, but the next Scottish government will have to be a lot more focused and determined if it hopes to meet the child poverty targets and build a better future for all our children.
“Parties holding ministers to account in the chamber will also have to take a more interventionist role, championing bold action to ensure better childhoods and brighter futures for all of Scotland’s children.”
Scottish Labour social justice spokeswoman Claire Baker said “It is a scandal that so many children in Scotland are living in poverty and we owe it to the next generation to tackle this issue.
“The SNP’s shameful lack of progress over the last two decades has made this all the more challenging and all the more urgent.
“Scottish Labour is determined to tackle poverty at its root, support the next generation and make life more affordable.
“We will tackle the drivers of poverty and ease the pressure on families by tackling the housing emergency, creating good jobs, cutting the cost of childcare, and getting the basics right in our public services.
“To deliver the change Scotland needs, vote Scottish Labour on May 7.”
Social Justice Secretary and SNP candidate Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Scotland has the lowest levels of child poverty on these islands – that’s thanks to SNP action in government and that’s exactly what you get from John Swinney’s leadership.
“John Swinney has made eradicating child poverty his number one mission and we are making good progress, despite a complete failure from the Labour Party to get a grip of the cost-of-living crisis.
“Our game-changing Scottish Child Payment is unavailable anywhere else in the UK, but we will go even further, including with our offer of year-round childcare support for every child from nine months until the end of primary school which will be transformative.
“The reality is though our mission on child poverty is constantly held back by Westminster governments that have punished Scottish families time and again – only through a fresh start with independence can we break free of broken, Brexit Britain and build a fairer, wealthier, Scotland.”