Ambitious investment needed to meet child poverty targets, says Children in Scotland

New data released today (27 March) revealed whether the Scottish Government is on track to meet the 2030 child poverty targets, as set out by the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act.

The statistics published today show that although interim child poverty targets have been missed, child poverty in Scotland has fallen four percentage points over the past year with relative poverty reduced from 26% to 22%, whilst across the rest of the UK levels of child poverty have risen.

The interim targets measure the Scottish Government’s progress in four key areas: fewer than 10% of children are living in relative poverty, fewer than 5% of children are living in absolute poverty, fewer than 5% are living in low income and material deprivation, fewer than 5% are living in persistent poverty.

Since the introduction of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act in 2017, the Scottish Government has taken significant steps to improve policy, most notably through the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment which is expected to lift 40,000 to 60,000 children out of poverty.

In the 2025/26 Scottish Budget, the First Minister described the eradication of child poverty as his government’s “top priority” while announcing the scrapping of the two-child limit, a move that was welcomed by Children in Scotland.

Despite this progress, there continues to be agreement across the children’s sector that more ambitious action is needed to meet the 2030 targets. New analysis published by the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland (IPPR Scotland) earlier this week showed that the Scottish Government must commit to more spending, recommending increased social security payments to families in or at risk of poverty as the most “direct and targeted route”.

The Children’s Sector Strategic and Policy Forum which brings together senior members from across the children’s sector, has continued to call on the Scottish Government to strengthen policies and resources with forum members meeting the First Minister in December to discuss what progressive action was needed.

Responding to today’s official government statistics on child poverty, Children in Scotland’s Chief Executive Dr Judith Turbyne said:

“The data released today leaves me with two key reflections. The first is that I am disappointed that the interim targets have not been met and that many of our babies, children and young people continue to experience unconscionable levels of poverty.

“My second reflection is, however, a more positive one. Some key policies, in particular the Scottish Child Payment, are working and moving things in the right direction.

“The question then has to be, is it feasible that we will be able to reach the statutory poverty targets? And the answer is that it is, but it would require more ambitious investment in the Scottish Child Payment as well as looking at how to boost earnings from work and reducing the housing and childcare costs faced by parents.

“So it can be done, it should be done, and indeed it must be done if we are really to build the Scotland that our children and young people have a right to.

“In my role as Chair of the Children’s Sector Strategic and Policy Forum and through our membership of both the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland and the End Child Poverty Coalition, we will continue to emphasise the need for urgent action and prioritisation so that all children have the opportunity to flourish.”

In a statement on the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland's website,  Director John Dickie said;

“These latest statistics show that Holyrood polices, especially the Scottish Child Payment, are working to shift the dial for children in Scotland in the face of poverty rising to record highs across the rest of the UK. It is obviously disappointing that progress falls short of the interim targets, but the statistics show that when government invests to support families then child poverty will fall.

“The message from the statistics, from the independent experts and from parents themselves is clear. The Scottish Child Payment is working to reduce poverty but a step change is needed in investment to meet child poverty targets. At the same time action is needed to boost earnings from work and reduce the housing and childcare costs that parents face.”

To view the full statistics, please click here