Scotland’s Children’s Charity response to Joseph Rowntree Foundation report
Following the release of the Joseph Rowntree Foundations’ report today on ‘Ending child poverty in a changing economy’, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Head of Policy for Scottish children’s charity, Aberlour said:
“Aberlour is deeply saddened by the conclusions of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report published today stating that the UK Government will miss commitments to halve child poverty by 2010 by a considerable margin.
“In a deteriorating economic climate, with job losses and pay cuts, it is easy to forget the direct impact this can have on the suffering of children. Of all social policy agendas, child poverty is one of the most important given its direct link to reduced academic attainment, economic inactivity, substance misuse and criminal activity in later life.
“It is of real concern to us that, unless swift action is taken, the spectre of child poverty in Scotland will be greater and more insidious than it has been for a generation once the economic storm has passed.
“Projections based on current policies propose that child poverty levels will fall 600,000 short of the 2010 projected targets. Aberlour stands firmly behind the recommendations of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and supports the need for new policies to help low income families and the need for more help to get parents back into work.
“Whilst we are fully aware that the Scottish Government is already taking steps to address this issue, we would urge it, in light of these findings, to redouble its efforts and concentrate further resources.
“When the Scottish Government’s ‘Estimating the Cost of Child Poverty – Approaches and Evidence’ was published last year, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon advised that a government-wide approach to tackling child poverty was required and that ‘helping parents into work is probably the single most important way of lifting children out of poverty.’ We want to see that rhetoric translate into action.”
Scottish children’s charity Aberlour supports 6,000 children, young people and families each year who need additional support to promote their development and wellbeing. With 46 services throughout the country, Aberlour offers support to those with disabilities, families with drug and alcohol problems, provides childcare and parental support and has the only runaway’s refuge in Scotland for young people.
ENDS
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