A groundbreaking roundtable on child poverty in Scotland is being held today in Westminster, bringing together UK ministers, Scottish children’s organisations and MPs.

The roundtable was set up following meetings between Scotland Office ministers and groups from the End Poverty Coalition, with the aims of sharing information on tackling child poverty and providing a forum for the views and concerns of some of the main Scottish campaigning organisations.

Scotland Office minister David Cairns said:

“The Government has succeeded in arresting the long-term trend in rising child poverty, with 80,000 children lifted out of relative poverty in Scotland since 1999. But we recognise that there is more to be done in order to meet our commitment to halve child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020.

“This meeting reflects the legitimate and vital role that the UK government and Members of Parliament have in tackling poverty – many of the direct levers for doing so, such as the benefits and tax credit system, sit with the UK Government. It is essential that we hear directly from those undertaking direct work with children. The range of the membership of the group here today to do just that reflects how seriously we are taking this.

“This is a problem that cannot be tackled in isolation but requires coherent work not only right across Government, the Scottish Executive and local government but from the voluntary and private sectors as well. We intend this to mark the start of regular engagement to facilitate an ongoing dialogue between Scottish organisations working on tackling child poverty, government Ministers and senior Members of Parliament representing Scottish constituencies .”

Minister for Employment and Welfare Reform Stephen Timms said:

“Work is the best route out of poverty. It is good for people’s health and well-being, their self-esteem and the future prospects for their families. It promotes choice and independence, supports our society, and increases community cohesion.

“Helping poor working families – as well as those who are on benefits – is central to our efforts to halve child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020.

“I look forward to working with those committed to eradicating child poverty across Scotland."

Notes to editors

1.  The Scottish Affairs Committee will publish its Third Report of Session 2007-08 on Child Poverty in Scotland on Monday 4 February 2008 at 10.30 a.m. at the City Chambers Business Centre, Edinburgh.

Media contact:
Clark Dunn, 0131 244 9053 / 07917 084371
Nathaniel Mumford, 0207 270 6875 / 07771 938878

News Release: SS1222
Date: 30 Jan 2008

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