[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f124bk5nu94ix3":3,"$f10b3rz2z388kj":28},{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"content":9,"content_overview":10,"published_at":11,"seo_title":12,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"next":17,"prev":18},"01j6cdm1q7e1fkym00tmfs3n07","1",false,"Letter to PM urging an end to the two-child limit","letter-to-pm-urging-an-end-to-the-two-child-limit","\u003Cp>Aberlour has sent the following letter to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP,  urging him to commit to ending the cruel and unnecessary two child limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Dear Prime Minister\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I am writing to you to offer warmest congratulations from everyone at Aberlour on becoming Prime Minister. I believe we share the same values of equality and social justice and the ambition to see an end to child poverty. I am sure you and your government will work hard to realise and embed these values for the benefit of children, young people and families across the UK.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To that end I urge that you commit to end the cruel and unnecessary two-child limit. Our children and young people at Aberlour made it clear ahead of the election that their priority is ending child poverty. The fact is they have waited long enough for governments at Westminster and Holyrood to prioritise tackling child poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An entire generation of children has been affected by the damage done by austerity. This has had a profound impact on the levels of disadvantage we see at Aberlour every day within the families we work with and the communities we serve. Children cannot wait any longer for real and meaningful action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day we work with families impacted by the two-child limit. This results in families making impossible choices of whether to put food on the table, pay their energy bills or provide adequate clothing for their children. This puts a massive stress on families and contributes to negative impacts on educational attainment and on children’s physical and emotional health and wellbeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tackling child poverty is the first and most important thing any government must do to if it wants to create a fairer and more equal society. But it cannot be done without investment. I appreciate there are constraints on public finances, and I know you have difficult decisions to make about how you prioritise limited resources amid a challenging financial landscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nonetheless, I urge you to accept that the financial saving of maintaining the two-child limit will only result in a longer term cost to society due to poorer outcomes for children as a result of the poverty and wider experiences of adversity it perpetuates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ending child poverty will not be achieved overnight. But abolishing the two-child limit would immediately lift three hundred thousand children across the UK out of poverty. This would be a good start. This would also clearly signal your intention to do the best for our poorest children and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We know that more money in people’s pockets means more money in local economies. It is not a binary choice between ending poverty or driving growth. I believe we can do both at the same time. Ultimately, investment in social security and tackling child poverty is an investment in our communities, in our citizens, in our children and in our shared future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a decade and a half of austerity, now is the time to make the bold and necessary political choices that will improve the lives of struggling families and help the 4.3 million children across the UK who are currently living in poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I believe this must begin by bringing an end to the cruel two-child limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I look forward to working with you and your government to make sure we end child poverty for good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With best wishes,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>SallyAnn Kelly OBE\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Chief Executive\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CC: Rachel Reeves\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp> \u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>Aberlour has sent the following letter to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP,  urging him to commit to ending the cruel and unnecessary two child limit. Dear Prime Minister I am writing to you to offer warmest congratulations from everyone at Aberlour on becoming Prime Minister. I believe we share the … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fletter-to-pm-urging-an-end-to-the-two-child-limit\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-07-17T00:00:00.000000Z","Letter to PM urging an end to the two-child limit - Aberlour - Web Backend","Aberlour has sent a letter to the Prime Minister, the Right Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP,  urging him to commit to ending the cruel and unnecessary two child limit.","media\u002FSallyAnn-Final-scaled.jpg","2024-08-28T11:58:31.000000Z","2024-11-25T07:22:17.000000Z",{"id":4,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":7,"slug":8,"content":9,"content_overview":10,"published_at":11,"seo_title":12,"seo_description":13,"image":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16},{"id":19,"blog_author_id":5,"blog_category_id":5,"is_featured":6,"title":20,"slug":21,"content":22,"content_overview":23,"published_at":24,"seo_title":25,"seo_description":26,"image":27,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16},"01j6cdm1qq84wyy26mrjztbm9e","A new dawn breaks for young Scots as Scotland becomes the first nation to implement the UNCRC","a-new-dawn-breaks-for-young-scots","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Today, Tuesday 16th July, Scotland begins implementation of the UNCRC Scotland Act. Our CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE, shares her thoughts on the importance of the day and what it means for children living in poverty in Scotland.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Children waking up in Scotland tomorrow will have a louder voice than when they go to bed tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At one minute past midnight, as they sleep, their lives will become safer and their futures more secure as Scotland becomes the first UK nation to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Across our public life and legal system, this declaration of fundamental rights has potential to be transformative with every young Scot now entitled to a safe, secure childhood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It means every child, from every postcode, will have the same guaranteed right to education, health care and a life free of abuse, neglect and exploitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The international charter will mean greater legal protections for all children, including our most vulnerable young Scots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every public body and organisation working on their behalf across Scotland will soon realise the game has irrevocably changed. It is a chance for Scotland to step up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Landmark court cases may come but, hopefully, right now all those bodies and third sector organisations whose work touches on the welfare of children are already looking at what they do and how they do it to ensure it meets their new legal responsibilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rights detailed in the 54 articles of the UNCRC range widely but, taken together, they mean no child should ever experience barriers to education, face discrimination or grow up in poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In particular, Article 26 details their right to social security while Article 27 enshrines their right to an adequate standard of living, including a safe and secure home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Herald’s recent, revelatory reporting has laid bare the housing emergency in Scotland but the enduring and escalating crisis of child poverty is wider still and even more corrosive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unsafe, cramped and temporary housing undermines the lives and life chances of far too many young Scots but, in every way imaginable, poverty blights the lives of children today and sabotages their futures tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We know the damage inflicted by poverty, on mental health, physical health, educational attainment, and life chances. The evidence is everywhere, the jury is in. We do not need more proof, we need more action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is no more time to spare. Five years ago, the United Nation’s special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, spent time in Scotland before accusing the UK government of the “systematic immiseration of a significant part of the British population.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In November, his successor suggested things have got even worse and, today, one in four children in Scotland are growing up in poverty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is not their choice but showing the will and dedicating the resource to help them is a political choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is about making child poverty an absolute priority, ensuring the best interests of all our children drive policy not financial imperatives, and about transforming warm words into impactful action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This United Nations Convention should, must, help improve young lives, and, whatever the forecast, tomorrow will be a good day for Scotland’s children.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>SallyAnn Kelly OBE\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Cbr \u002F>\n\u003Cstrong>Chief Executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>This article was written for The Herald and published on Tuesday 16th July.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","\u003Cp>Today, Tuesday 16th July, Scotland begins implementation of the UNCRC Scotland Act. Our CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE, shares her thoughts on the importance of the day and what it means for children living in poverty in Scotland. “Children waking up in Scotland tomorrow will have a louder voice than when they go to bed tonight. … \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fweb-backend.aberlour.org.uk\u002Fa-new-dawn-breaks-for-young-scots\u002F\">Continued\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2024-07-16T00:00:00.000000Z","A new dawn breaks for young Scots as Scotland becomes the first nation to implement the UNCRC - Aberlour - Web Backend","Aberlour CEO, SallyAnn Kelly OBE, shares her thoughts as Scotland becomes the first nation to implement the UNCRC and what it means for children living in poverty.","media\u002FSAK_Web.jpg",{"id":29,"blog_author_id":30,"blog_category_id":31,"is_featured":6,"title":32,"slug":33,"content":34,"content_overview":35,"published_at":36,"seo_title":32,"seo_description":37,"image":38,"created_at":39,"updated_at":40},"01m5fanaffkxrzkrpj1x4keag4","9cdbdd6d-4900-4646-a012-d3e67a5ee788","01j303dmcc6n6900v73fs88bc7","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>",null,"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"]