FAILURE to pass the Scottish budget would be a “grave blow” to efforts aimed at reducing child poverty, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell has said.
Warning that government spending on child poverty could be jeopardised, Campbell cautioned opposition parties of the “very real impact” if there are delays in passing the plans.
The minority SNP Government will need opposition support to pass its budget, which includes £3.4 billion on social security following the transfer of welfare powers to Holyrood.
Measures to reduce child poverty – which is estimated to affect 24% of all children in Scotland – include the Scottish Child Payment of £10 a week for each eligible child.
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The Scottish Government has forecast the new benefit will lift 30,000 children out of poverty but Campbell said delays passing the budget would have a knock-on impact on claimants.
“If the budget Bill does not pass it will be a grave blow in our efforts to eradicate the scourge of child poverty from our society,” Campbell said.
“We are taking firm action to deliver lasting change to those who need it most and any postponement of the bill is a delay in the help we can provide to the greatest number of low-income families possible.”
Scotland is the only UK country with income-based targets to eradicate child poverty but local authorities have argued the budget proposals put the 2030 target at risk.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) warned the funding for councils in the budget bill would result in a £95 million cut to revenue and £117m reduction to capital funds – £300m and £130 million in real terms respectively.
Stephen McCabe, Cosla’s children and young people spokesman, said not investing would lead to “a generation of children continuing to live in poverty and unable to reach their full potential”.
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