[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f2xm76f3rx35zo":3,"$f10b3rz2z388kj":39},{"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":16,"next":17,"prev":28},"01k97m0e27148330fcfb9km7sq","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","01j303dmcc6n6900v73fs88bc7",false,"Blog: When families Talk Money, what are they telling us?","blog-when-families-talk-money-what-are-they-telling-us","\u003Cp>At Aberlour Children’s Charity, our work is centred on amplifying and elevating the voices of families we work with across Scotland. This \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fmaps.org.uk\u002Fen\u002Four-work\u002Ftalk-money-week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u003Cstrong>Talk Money Week\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>, we are proud to share what we have heard: \u003Cstrong>families want to #StartTheConversation about money with policy and decision makers\u003C\u002Fstrong>. They want to be heard and their day-to-day experiences to be understood. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the key issues we’re focusing on is \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fabout-us\u002Fpolicy-and-influencing\u002Fpublic-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">public debt\u003C\u002Fa> (such as council tax, rent arrears or even school meal debt) because it is having a significant impact on the families we support. Nearly\u003Cstrong> 1 in 6 families who apply to our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fget-help\u002Furgent-assistance-fund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Urgent Assistance Fund\u003C\u002Fa> require help with unsustainable public debt.\u003C\u002Fstrong> Research conducted in partnership with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Fnew-report-universal-credit-deductions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Heriot-Watt University \u003C\u002Fa>and the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Fhouseholds-with-a-disability-and-lone-parent-families-and-the-impact-of-public-debt-and-arrears\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">University of Glasgow\u003C\u002Fa> by \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.gla.ac.uk\u002Fschools\u002Fsocialpolitical\u002Fstaff\u002Fmoragtreanor\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Professor Morag Treanor\u003C\u002Fa> has shown that public debt is contributing to child poverty. That’s why we’re committed to understanding and addressing this issue, both through direct support and through policy change. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across Scotland, Aberlour supports families at home and in the community-- providing practical, emotional and financial support to children, young people, parents and carers. In addition to this, our Urgent Assistance Fund offers direct cash grants for life essentials, like clothing, food, and utilities, when families are experiencing a financial crisis. Through our work, not only do we aim to meet families’ immediate needs but also create safe spaces for them to share their experiences and shape the support they receive. We know that families are experts in their own lives. That’s why we are putting families’ voices and experiences at the heart of our work to call for a change to how Scotland does public debt collection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>So, when families talk to us about money, what are they telling us? \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve been welcomed into homes, chatted over the phone, shared tea and biscuits, and cuddled babies while exploring how public debt affects children’s lives. Families have told us about the challenges they face - like managing public debt after leaving abusive relationships, where debt recovery actions continue after separation. One mum shared how most of her income goes toward avoiding debt, leaving little for her children to enjoy the simple joys of childhood. Another mum asked that “the woman’s side of the financial effects [of abuse]” be fully heard and considered. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others have spoken about the strain of homelessness and how celebrations like Christmas feel out of reach. They told us how much it means when Aberlour staff listen to their circumstances and can give direct financial help via the Urgent Assistance Fund.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Families raising children with disabilities described the constant financial pressure - from petrol for accessible transport to specialist clothing and food. One parent said it feels like “looking for a real-life unicorn.” Another shared how their child turning 18 drastically reduced their income, leaving them wondering, “how are we going to live day to day?” \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’ve also heard from young people leaving care, families moving into new tenancies, and parents in recovery for substance use. Both families and staff have spoken about how money - or the lack of it - can shape stability, safety, and a sense of hope. One parent told us she was persevering under difficult circumstances in the hope of a “fresh start that would be best for my child.”  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These stories remind us that empowering families to share their voices and experiences sits at the heart of this work, and that is essential to how we change systems and processes that too often act as a barrier to tackling child poverty in Scotland. When families are invited to share their realities and ideas, we gain insight that no policy paper can offer. By starting the conversation and keeping it going, we can work together to build a Scotland where every child has the chance to thrive. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each family we explore this with tells us that their complex circumstances don’t always fit neatly within existing procedures - and that’s where the conversation needs to begin.  When families talk to us about money, they tell us they want change. They tell us they want their voices and views to be heard and understood by those that can make change happen. When parents talk to us about money, they tell us they want better for their children. That’s why we’re proud to be working in partnership with local authorities - like those involved in our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Faberlour-family-financial-wellbeing-tayside-pilot-evaluation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tayside Challenging Public Debt Service\u003C\u002Fa> - to break down siloed ways of working and build more joined-up, responsive and compassionate systems.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Together, we’re exploring flexible approaches to complex household situations and creating systems that feel welcoming, responsive, and supportive. This kind of approach is not simply good practice; it’s an investment to provide early help and prevent crises before they hit, helping families to thrive. This collaboration shows what’s possible when we start the conversation and keep listening. \u003Cbr>\u003Cbr>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Robyn Moffat-Wall, Senior Policy Lead, & Alissa De Luca-Ruane, Policy & Participation Officer.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>",null,"2025-11-04T00:00:00.000000Z","In Aberlour Children's Charity's latest blog to mark Talk Money Week, Robyn Moffat-Wall, Aberlour Senior Policy Lead, shares how Aberlour is amplifying our families voices to tackle the public debt crisis in Scotland to help tackle child poverty.","media\u002FiStock-504539264.jpg","2025-11-04T14:23:20.000000Z","2025-11-04T15:47:52.000000Z",{"id":18,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":19,"is_featured":7,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":11,"published_at":23,"seo_title":20,"seo_description":24,"image":25,"created_at":26,"updated_at":27},"01kavacq5hcgr7jtex2fmg8yw3","1","Charity warns poorest children trapped longer in poverty","charity-warns-poorest-children-trapped-longer-in-poverty","\u003Cp>Emergency payments rushed to some of Scotland’s poorest families to pay for food and heating surged by a fifth last year, according to a children’s charity. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour Children’s Charity revealed £378,000 of emergency payments from its \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fget-help\u002Furgent-assistance-fund\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Urgent Assistance Fund\u003C\u002Fa> were approved in the year to October 2025, up 17 per cent on the preceding 12 months.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Justina Murray, the new chief executive of Aberlour, warned the escalating demand for crisis payments come as the charity’s frontline teams report more of Scotland’s poorest families being trapped in poverty for longer. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She urged the Chancellor to scrap the two-child benefit cap in the UK budget on Wednesday 26th November 2025 to launch a new wave of far-sighted reform to ease then end child poverty. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Murray called for action as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpovertyrelief\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Aberlour launches its Winter appeal\u003C\u002Fa>, with every pound donated going on urgent assistance for families. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its crisis fund has urgently delivered almost £4m with the majority of applications seeking help to buy food, clothing and heating. The average payment was £236 last year and delivered within days of approval. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Murray said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The applications reveal how a single unexpected bill, a broken washing machine, for example, or bedding damaged by damp, can mean calamity for a family. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many families are balanced on the thinnest tightrope and the smallest breeze is a serious risk. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These payments are relatively small, a few hundred pounds, but this can mean the difference between children going to bed fed and warm or cold and hungry. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our frontline teams offer a whole range of practical assistance and emotional support but, at times of absolute crisis, those families need money most urgently of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Murray, former chief executive of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, joined Aberlour last month and since then has been visiting the charity’s family support services across Scotland, where frontline workers warned more families are being trapped in poverty for longer.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>It has been hugely encouraging to see so much effort and expertise across all of our services supporting families, but concerning to see how much more is needed. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our teams work with families every day and are seeing poverty becoming even more entrenched. To raise families out of poverty for good needs more action and more urgency. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That demands more than good intentions and passionate speeches. It demands practical action shaped by frontline expertise, and backed by resource and ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has signalled action on the two child benefit cap in her budget on Wednesday and Murray said the move would be welcome, but must be followed by other life-changing reforms. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Repairing the damage done by punitive benefit cuts to our poorest families is crucial. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the short term, limiting benefits to two children might have saved money, but this has cost our country far more in the poverty inflicted, young lives harmed and futures sabotaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour delivers a range of support for children and families across Scotland and, Murray said, the priority for policy-makers is to swiftly roll out effective services capable of making the most difference to whole families in the long-term. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>There is a lot of talk about child poverty, but policy discussions often fail to reflect the day to day reality of families and the urgency of the situation. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to support and stabilise families both for today and for good. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We must never be content to talk about simply ‘tackling’ or ‘reducing’ poverty, as if some level of poverty is acceptable. Our only ambition must be to eradicate it and prevent it happening again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour, one of the country’s most influential children’s charities, is marking its 150th anniversary this year but, Murray said, many of the social issues demanding action in 1875 remain unresolved today. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>She said: \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>More than a century and a half after our charity began caring for children in need, young people in Scotland are still going to bed cold and going to school hungry. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Their lives and life chances are still being sabotaged by poverty, as they were all those years ago and, as a country, we should have done better. We still can.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>","2025-11-24T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity warns the poorest children are trapped in poverty longer in Scotland as it launches it's annual winter fundraising campaign to raise vital funds for the Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund.","media\u002F0R3A3133-min.jpg","2025-11-24T16:15:47.000000Z","2025-11-24T16:17:21.000000Z",{"id":29,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":30,"slug":31,"content":32,"content_overview":11,"published_at":33,"seo_title":34,"seo_description":35,"image":36,"created_at":37,"updated_at":38},"01k6z46ywd424gx6cjj61k0hjh","New Research Confirms Issue of School Meal Debt in England","new-research-confirms-issue-of-school-meal-debt-in-england","\u003Cp>New research from Aberlour Children's Charity has confirmed that school meal debt is an issue for many children and families across schools in England. As a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Fschool-meal-debt-in-england\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">result of this research\u003C\u002Fa>, the influential charity is calling on the UK Government to recognise school meal debt as an indication of financial hardship for families and include clear actions in the upcoming child poverty strategy to end school meal debt and hidden school hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The research conducted across three council areas asked schools about the number of pupils and families in debt, the value of debt, school debt recovery practices, support for families and critically if children were still able to eat at school if in debt. Many schools and councils reported that they did not know the level of debt and how many children and families were impacted. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of those schools who did reply and provided information, showing how many children and their families were in debt, the research found that 23.1% of pupils from these schools, minus those eligible for free school meals, were in debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most schools were supportive of families, but many schools made pupils bring in packed lunches if in debt, which, alongside so-called cashless pre-paid payment systems, raises concerns about the potential for hidden hunger in schools. \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tiny number of schools also reported that they were also prepared to take punitive measures to recover debt, including using debt collection agencies.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many schools simply did not know about debt and\u002For did not collect the information, with many stating that it was the responsibility of the third party catering provider to do so, which raises concerns that debt is much more widespread than some schools reported in this research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The total value of debt, based on figures provided by 47 schools, was £66,000. An average of £1400 per school. If this average was replicated across England the total debt across state schools in England would be £28 million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aberlour have made a series of recommendations to the UK Government, including the creation of a fund, just like the one recently introduced in Scotland, that schools can draw upon to underwrite school meal debt.  \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Chief Executive of Aberlour Children's Charity, SallyAnn Kelly OBE said:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>This research builds on the work we have done in Scotland in relation to school meal debt. In establishing, just as we did in Scotland, that school meal debt is an issue in England we believe necessitates action by the UK Government to support pupils, families and schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"School meal debt places pressure on children and families, which ultimately has the very real potential to impact their well-being and life chances. In conducting this research we have found that too many schools and councils simply do not know about school meal debt or the effect it is having.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The research also found that there is no overarching set of guidelines available to schools to help how they support children and families who find themselves in debt and how debt is recovered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At Aberlour we believe that no child should be punished for finding themselves in debt and because of the economic circumstances of their parents.  They should always be fed when at school and we must always, as a society, ensure our children are properly fed to help children get the best possible chance to successfully pursue their education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We hope that the government pays close attention to this research, includes clear actions in the upcoming child poverty strategy to end school meal debt and hidden school hunger and introduces all the recommendations we have made that would help all those children and their families currently struggling with school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Fschool-meal-debt-in-england\">Read the research. \u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>","2025-10-07T00:00:00.000000Z","New Research from Aberlour Children's Charity Confirms Issue of School Meal Debt in England","Latest research from Aberlour Children's Charity into the public debt crisis confirms that 1 in 4 children in England, not in receipt of free school meals, has school meal debt. The Uk Government must do more to tackle the crisis and tackle child poverty.","media\u002FiStock-1454162141.jpg","2025-10-07T10:41:57.000000Z","2025-10-07T11:58:00.000000Z",{"id":40,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":6,"is_featured":7,"title":41,"slug":42,"content":43,"content_overview":11,"published_at":44,"seo_title":41,"seo_description":45,"image":46,"created_at":47,"updated_at":48},"01m5fanaffkxrzkrpj1x4keag4","Right to Food Commission supports Aberlour's Call to End School Meal Debt","right-to-food-commission-supports-aberlours-call","\u003Cp>School meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three words that should never be uttered in the same sentence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children bearing the burden and stigma of debt should shame any society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, here in Scotland that is what we saw happening for thousands of children and their families around the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many high school children having a negative balance on their parent pay account would mean being unable to access a meal at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt and hidden school hunger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two sides of the same coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what side that coin lands on it would still show how badly we have failed many of Scotland’s most disadvantaged children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is why at Aberlour we were compelled to do something about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make sure we stood beside those children and their families and to call for something to change – urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We wanted to make sure we saw an \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fabout-us\u002Fpolicy-and-influencing\u002Fpublic-debt\u002Fschool-meal-debt\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">end to school meal debt and hidden school hunger for good\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In 2023 we urged the then First Minister, Humza Yusaf, to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring an end to the shameful practice of children and their families being chased by debt collectors for school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>School meal debt is a symptom of families not having enough money to provide the very basics for their children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fundamentally, it is about a lack of income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We welcomed the introduction of a one-off School Meal Debt Fund to write off outstanding debt for one year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we were clear that was not enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our evidence shows that the majority of children with school meal debt are from low-income working families who do not qualify for free school meals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, along with writing off the debt for struggling families, we called for the expansion of Free School Meals to all low-income families across Scotland to help prevent school meal debt in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, we welcomed John Swinney’s subsequent commitment to continuing the School Meal Debt Fund for a further year to write off nearly £3 million of school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Figures show that this benefitted 70,000 children and their families across Scotland over the last two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A welcome relief for many, but still a limited intervention without a long-term solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Our campaign to end school meal debt has continued up to and during the recent Scottish Parliament elections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last year we also published evidence that pointed to the extent of school meal debt for children and their families in England.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What our research suggested was that around 1 in 4 children not eligible for free school meals in England had regular or persistent school meal debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so we called on the UK Government to act and follow Scotland’s lead by taking action to end school meal debt for children across the rest of the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This week saw the launch of the independent UK Right to Food Commission report and findings following their work to evidence the scale of food insecurity across the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Commission’s report provides a roadmap and clear actions all governments across the UK must take to end food insecurity for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This includes ending school meal debt for good for all children the length of the country, from Aberdeen to Aberystwyth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Scotland, the SNP made a commitment during the Scottish Parliamentary election campaign to end school meal debt once and for all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That manifesto pledge was then followed by the First Minister announcing that families struggling with school meal debt would continue to be helped by committing the same level of investment again this year to write that debt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time this will happen alongside the further expansion of Free School Meals in primary schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The urgent measure and a preventative solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is much more the First Minister must do to make real progress on his ambition to “eradicate child poverty”.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this is one example that the rest of the UK can follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making sure no child ever again is burdened with debt or goes hungry at school would be a quick win for Andy Burnham, to show his commitment to tackling food insecurity by ending school meal debt in every postcode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Martin Canavan\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Head of Policy & Influencing \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-10-21T00:00:00.000000Z","Aberlour Children's Charity's Head of Policy & Influencing, Martin Canavan, shares what must be done to end school meal debt and hidden hunger in schools for good. He shares what has been done in Scotland and what must be done in England.","media\u002Fshared image.jpg","2026-10-21T13:33:25.000000Z","2026-10-22T08:11:54.000000Z"]