John Swinney makes child poverty a key priority

Campaigners have applauded Scotland’s new first minister for putting child poverty as a key political priority.

John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, said that John Swinney’s pledge to make child poverty his number one priority is “hugely encouraging.”

He added that the pledge needs to be acted on, and fast.

Swinney will be sworn in as first minster today with cabinet posts confirmed in parliament on Thursday.

He pledged to be the "first minister for everyone in Scotland", adding: "I am here to serve you, I will give everything I have to build the best future for our country."

The economy, the NHS and other public services, and "a drive to lift children out of poverty" are his priorities for government, he said.

Dickie said: “The first step must be an immediate above-inflation increase to the Scottish child payment, and commitment to ensuring it reaches the £40per week needed by the end of the parliament.

“But the new government will need to go much further and invest in childcare, in removing the barriers to work that too many parents face and in tackling the housing crisis. Unlocking children from poverty is the moral thing to do, it is a legal duty and it is essential for our economic wellbeing.”

Dickie continued: “All the political parties backed the legally binding child poverty targets set out in the 2017 Child Poverty (Scotland) Act. Now is the time for all the political parties to work together to ensure those targets are met.”