SHONA Robison will today urge political rivals to back a “national mission to eradicate poverty” in Scotland.

The Social Justice Secretary will lead a debate in the Scottish Parliament today and call for parliament, government and society to work together to root out the causes of inequality and deprivation.

The afternoon debate comes two days after it emerged that Labour, the Conservatives and the LibDems had rejected Robison’s appeal to sign her official letter to Westminster seeking the devolution of powers over work and pay, a move she says would help raise incomes and legislate against exploitation.

She’s now urged all parties to “work together to eradicate poverty”, saying: “While the pandemic has thrown into sharp relief the hardships faced by many in this country, it has also shown that we can make change happen at the pace and scale required for this new national mission.”

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Charities large and small reacted to the announcement. Abdul Bostani, director of grassroots charity Glasgow Afghan United, works with marginalised households in Glasgow. He said: “We see, we feel the amount of people facing poverty challenges every day. I was expecting the Scottish Government to deal with this a long time ago but it’s not too late. My call to the other parties is ‘let’s not play politics’– people’s futures are at stake. The time is now to do something.”

Claire Telfer, Save the Children’s head of Scotland, welcomed the move, telling The National: “Children and parents are going without the basics – food, heat in their homes, appropriate clothes, toys, days out and experiences. We know lack of income has a direct impact on children’s development, particularly in the early years.

“This impacts on children’s ability to reach their potential as well as on their wellbeing, development and future outcomes.

“Reducing child poverty and its impact must be the priority of this Parliament.

“As an immediate step, Save the Children is calling for a commitment to double the Scottish Child Payment within the first year of this parliament.”