Glasgow SNP list MSP Bob Doris has welcomed the positive stance taken by the Scottish Government in attempting to address Child Poverty in Scotland.  Mr Doris had placed a Parliamentary Question asking whether the Scottish Government would make representations to the new dedicated Child Poverty unit set up by Peter Hain MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Wales. In a reply received today, Nicola Sturgeon the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that her officials have already made contact with the unit.  Bob has also tabled a Parliamentary Motion.
 

Mr Doris said: "I am delighted that the Scottish Government have been positively proactive in contacting the UK Child Poverty Unit.

"Nearly one in four Scottish children live in poverty and that is something which should shame us all.

"The Scottish Government have been quick out of the blocks on this and it is highly encouraging.

"I hope the UK Unit will seek to work constructively with our SNP government who have already taken a number of positive steps to deal with this scourge.

Notes:

Bob's motion and his PQ and the reply are:

• 6 November 2007 Index Heading: Health and Wellbeing
  
  Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it intends to make to the new child poverty unit set up by the UK Government.
  
  (S3W-05824) Ms Nicola Sturgeon: My officials have already made contact with the new child poverty unit and will continue to work closely with them to ensure that the analysis, measures and proposals they put forward properly reflect the needs and circumstances of Scottish children, and the policies and priorities of the Scottish Government. We will seek to ensure that, between the UK and Scottish Governments, policies and programmes have the maximum impact possible on child poverty in Scotland, in order that child poverty can be eradicated by 2020.

• S3M-724 Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP) : Child Poverty— That the Parliament welcomes the move by Peter Hain MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and Wales, to set up a dedicated child poverty unit; recognises that the levers to deal with child poverty are split between the Westminster and Scottish governments, and calls on both to work together to meet the target of eradicating child poverty by 2020.
   

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