[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f10b3rz2z388kj":3,"$f1n1crkptwy3vx":16},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":8,"slug":9,"content":10,"content_overview":11,"published_at":12,"seo_title":8,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15},"01m45vtvk0pdb1y7c1cqv76edp","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","1",false,"Panic and Promises Won't End Child Poverty","panic-and-promises-wont-end-child-poverty","\u003Cp>We live in a world that seems to spin faster every day, where all the dials are turned to 11 all the time.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The headlines crash from one calamity to another as our political leaders rush to promise emergency action while their opponents demand even more urgency. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is noisy, tiring and a few hours later, when the news cycle spins to another red alert, the last one, whatever it was, is most often forgotten. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For years now, child poverty in Scotland has been routinely described as a national emergency demanding emergency action. It is and it does but, with more than one in five children still growing up in poverty in Scotland today, is it time to ask if the language of emergency and crisis is helping?  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it only encourages more haste but less speed, a birling carousel of taskforces and committees, policy papers and special reports, but too little measured and impactful action? Are we even checking if the blizzard of promises and commitments is being delivered before starting the snow machine again? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if the endless planning and process is actually slowing us down? What if somehow all the talk is delaying implementation of practical, tested, and effective measures to improve the lives and secure the life chances of the 210,000 children growing up poor in one of the wealthiest countries in the world? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because we already know what works. We have known for years.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there are no magic bullets, no simple solutions to the complex social issues that have blighted our poorest communities for decades. Child poverty, like Scotland’s drugs crisis, another national emergency, is embedded in longstanding economic trends that have stripped far too many of our neighbourhoods of jobs and hope. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those trends will not be reversed overnight but, in the meantime, we should not let perfect be the enemy of good. As Challenge Poverty Week begins today, the biggest challenge is to see the wood not the trees, to recognise and appreciate what is already working and build on it. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are things that we know ease the impact of poverty on young lives; that have been trialled, tested and measured; that inch their families from peril to safety; that give them new strength, confidence and a path to a more secure future. So why not have more of them? \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are services that our charity and others are delivering every day, hand in glove with our partners in social work, health care and education. These are services delivering real, measurable success, making children safer, healthier and happier today and improving their chances tomorrow. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intensive family support, for example. The clue is in the name. It is the opposite of easy. Any family’s journey back from the very edge of crisis is one of hard yards and no shortcuts. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our teams arrive to work, shoulder to shoulder, with families on the point of collapse, with children often on the edge of care. Ensuring those babies and young people are safe is always the priority but, after that, keeping them with their families is the driving force because that, all research suggests, is the best way to stabilise childhoods and secure futures. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intensive family support means doing whatever it takes to keep children safe and families together. It can rebuild broken relationships; improve parents’ confidence in themselves; create new connections in communities; and help build firmer financial foundations with advice on welfare rights, maximising incomes and problem debt. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any investment in intensive family support and other specialist services, for pregnant women and new mums, for example, is more than returned in thriving families, stronger communities and money saved. Resource is better spent on intensive support keeping families safely together, than managing their separation through a lifetime of crisis-led state intervention.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our two Mother and Child Recovery Houses, in Falkirk and Dundee, for example, offer recovery spaces for pregnant and new mums with a history of substance use, allowing them to recover while staying safely with their babies. This helps keep families together and children at home, improves their futures and saves millions of pounds in avoided care costs. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is true child protection and the big question is not whether we can afford to roll out these services across Scotland but if we can afford not to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Justina Murray \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr>\u003Cstrong>Chief executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for the Daily Record and published on Monday 5th October 2026.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2026-10-05T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity CEO, Justina Murray, explains what must be done to end child poverty in Scotland. We know what works and we've known for years. ","media\u002FRS873_0E5A9135.jpg","2026-10-05T11:05:26.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":21,"published_at":22,"seo_title":23,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27,"next":28,"prev":29},"01j6cdm1ssbjs130q54jfwb2g5","Blog: Free school meals must be given to all families receiving Scottish Child Payment","blog-free-school-meals-must-be-given-to-all-families-receiving-scottish-child-payment","\u003Cp>The new First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot simply be rhetoric. Our political and civic leaders must ensure it becomes a reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Expanding free school meals eligibility is a tangible action that can make a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families. This change can happen immediately. It will offer a lifeline to families who are barely keeping their heads above water and who find themselves in school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We applauded the previous First Minister’s decision to abolish school meal debt for a year. It was a crucial step in the right direction. However, a one-time fix isn’t enough. We must ensure this commitment becomes permanent. No child in Scotland should ever carry the weight of school meal debt, and no child should ever experience the shame and anxiety of going hungry at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt is a glaring symptom of a deeper problem – families simply don’t have enough to make ends meet. Every child should have the right to healthy, nutritious food and it’s the government’s responsibility to uphold that right. By preventing school meal debt in the first place, we can create a future where all children have the fuel they need to learn, grow, and thrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Providing free school meals to the children of low-income families isn’t just about easing immediate hardship. It’s about investing in our future. These children are the doctors, teachers and leaders of tomorrow. By giving them a healthy start, we are giving everyone in our society a chance to truly flourish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We urge the Scottish Government to take action now. Let’s include a clear commitment to expanding free school meals in the upcoming Programme for Government. This will send a powerful message that Scotland prioritises its children’s well–being, and that no child will ever be left to go hungry again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, we can create a Scotland where every child sits down to a full plate at school, a Scotland where hunger becomes a thing of the past. It’s time to take action, it’s time to ensure no child is left behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Martin Canavan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Head of Policy and Participation \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for the Daily Record and published on 16th May 2024. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dailyrecord.co.uk\u002Fnews\u002Fpolitics\u002Ffree-school-meals-must-given-32823448\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read the article\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>The new First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot simply be rhetoric. Our political and civic leaders must ensure it becomes a reality. Expanding free school meals eligibility is a tangible action that can make a real difference to the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families. This change can … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fblog-free-school-meals-must-be-given-to-all-families-receiving-scottish-child-payment\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-05-16T00:00:00.000000Z","Blog: Free school meals must be given to all families receiving Scottish Child Payment - Aberlour - Web Backend","Read Aberlour's Head of Policy & Participations urgent calls to the Scottish Government to ensure no child in Scotland is left to go hungry.","media\u002Fmartin-canavan-3-min-scaled.jpg","2024-08-28T11:58:31.000000Z","2024-11-25T07:22:17.000000Z",{"id":17,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":18,"slug":19,"content":20,"content_overview":21,"published_at":22,"seo_title":23,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27},{"id":30,"blog_author_id":6,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":31,"slug":32,"content":33,"content_overview":34,"published_at":35,"seo_title":36,"seo_description":37,"image":38,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27},"01j6cdm1sx3h71ck0cfhep7d3m","Aberlour Calls for Urgent Action on Child Hunger at Scottish Parliament Roundtable","aberlour-calls-for-urgent-action-on-child-hunger-at-scottish-parliament-roundtable","\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot be left as “rhetoric”, a leading children’s charity has warned, ahead of a parliamentary summit on free school meals. Aberlour will be advocating for immediate action to address child hunger at a crucial roundtable discussion in the Scottish Parliament this week.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aberlour will be urging the Scottish Government to take concrete steps to tackle child hunger, including:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>Expanding eligibility for free school meals:\u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Expanding access to free school meals for all families receiving the Scottish Child Payment would provide immediate relief to thousands of struggling families. This would not only alleviate the burden of school meal debt but also address the issue of hidden school hunger, where children go hungry due to insufficient food at home.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>Transforming rhetoric into action:\u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The First Minister’s commitment to ending child poverty needs to be translated into tangible measures. Expanding free school meals is a practical solution that can make a real difference in the lives of children right now.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>Making the one-time abolition of school meal debt permanent:\u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> While the previous government’s decision to abolish school meal debt for a year was a positive step, it needs to become a permanent policy. No child should experience the shame and anxiety of school meal debt, and no child should ever go hungry at school.\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>Martin Canavan from Aberlour said:\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“School meal debt is a symptom of a larger issue – families simply don’t have enough to make ends meet.  Every child deserves healthy, nutritious food. Providing free school meals isn’t just about alleviating present hardship, it’s about investing in Scotland’s future. These children are the doctors, teachers, and leaders of tomorrow. By giving them a healthy start, we are investing in the future of our society.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“The new First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot remain rhetoric, civic and political leaders must ensure it becomes reality.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ci>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“Aberlour is urging the Scottish Government to include a clear commitment to expanding free school meals in the upcoming Programme for Government. This would send a powerful message that Scotland prioritises the well-being of its children and that no child will ever be left hungry again.”\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>ENDS\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Details of Summit\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cb>Universal Free School Meals Roundtable with Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills\u003C\u002Fb>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cb>HOST: Monica Lennon MSP\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>DATE: Wednesday 15 May 2024\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>TIME: 1pm – 3pm\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">\u003Cb>LOCATION: In-person, Scottish Parliament, Committee Room 3\u003C\u002Fb>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The roundtable aims to bring together key stakeholders, community leaders, young people and cross-party representatives for a constructive discussion on the implementation of UFSM and next steps. What lessons can be learned and how can we pick up the pace on rollout, both in primary schools and secondary school provision? \u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>The First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot be left as “rhetoric”, a leading children’s charity has warned, ahead of a parliamentary summit on free school meals. Aberlour will be advocating for immediate action to address child hunger at a crucial roundtable discussion in the Scottish Parliament this week. Aberlour will be urging … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Faberlour-calls-for-urgent-action-on-child-hunger-at-scottish-parliament-roundtable\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-05-15T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Calls for Urgent Action on Child Hunger at Scottish Parliament Roundtable - Aberlour - Web Backend","The First Minister’s stated commitment to ending child poverty cannot be left as “rhetoric”, a leading children’s charity has warned, ahead of a parliamentary summit on free school meals.","media\u002Fmartin-canavan.jpg"]