NEW analysis shows the Scottish Government has invested more than half-a-billion pounds combating the effects of UK Government austerity in the last year alone.

The figure is a revealed in a progress report on the issue being published today.

Child poverty has been identified as a key Scottish Government priority and legislation was taken through the Scottish Parliament in 2017 to set ambitious income targets.

READ MORE: Scotland can do no more to mitigate Tory austerity, UN report says

Scotland already has lower child poverty and in-work poverty rates than the UK as a whole.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “From new devolved benefits offering support during pregnancy through to starting school, promoting the real living wage and ensuring everyone has a warm, secure place to call home we have a concerted and clear strategy.”