Glasgow child poverty highest in Scotland

Figures published this week have revealed stubbornly high levels of child poverty across the UK. According to the report, 35% of children in Glasgow currently live in poverty. SNP MSP Bob Doris says the figures make UK Government welfare reforms even more worrying than at first thought.

Mr Doris said: “The SNP launched Scotland’s first ever national strategy to tackle child poverty, helping the poorest families to increase their household incomes. These statistics show how much further we have to go, but under current arrangements too many of the policy areas affecting child poverty are decided by a Tory government in London.

“The report highlights the Glasgow North East Westminster constituency area as having  44% of children living in poverty. We all know the problem goes back generations. What is frightening is that not only do we have new statistics which reveal little progress in these areas, but we also have a Tory/ Liberal government proposing to make the situation even worse.

“In the past week, Tory, Liberal and Labour parties have been displaying their unity against Scottish independence and making clear where their priorities lie. What Labour won’t admit is that Iain Duncan Smith's welfare reform plans wouldn’t see the light of day in an independent Scotland. Opposing the SNP’s positive vision for Scotland is Labour’s priority when it should be opposing Tory cuts.

“Labour politicians in Glasgow are happy to stand idly by as welfare cuts estimated at £84 million hit the most vulnerable people in our city. If full control of the tax and benefits system rested at Holyrood, our Scottish Government would have far greater ability to tackle these abysmal statistics.

“Between now and the referendum in Autumn 2014 I will be pressing the case for a Yes vote for Scotland, precisely because I want to tackle poverty and inequality in our society .

The report on child poverty can be downloaded here:

http://endchildpoverty.org.uk/why-end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area#whereHighest