The Scottish Government has announced additional funding for charities to tackle child poverty in advance of its new strategy on the issue.
We will ensure organisations working on the frontline have the high-quality advice, information and training they need to support families secure the financial support they are entitled to - John Dickie
Scottish charities are getting £2.5m government funding in a bid to ensure welfare reforms don't lead to increases in child poverty.
Cancer charity Macmillan, Child Poverty Action Group, One Parent Families and the Poverty Alliance are to share the funds over the next two years to provide advice to people dealing with the impacts of UK welfare reforms.
The funding will also cover advice on managing debts and household budgets and work to encourage employers to pay the Scottish Living Wage. It comes ahead of the publication of the Scottish Government’s latest Child Poverty Strategy for Scotland.
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “It is shocking that there are children in Scotland still living in poverty. We want to be a modern, dynamic country – and that is simply not possible while some in our society are trapped in poverty.”
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland is to receive £750,000. It’s director John Dickie said: “This funding is vital to helping CPAG in Scotland ensure individuals and organisations working on the frontline have the high quality advice, information and training they need to support families secure the financial support they are entitled to, both when parents are in and out of work. Maximising family incomes is critical to preventing and eradicating child poverty.”
Elspeth Atkinson, director of Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, which is receiving £900,000, said: “This funding will allow Macmillan to continue to give financial and benefits advice to parents, carers and grandparents to ensure they can support their families following a cancer diagnosis.
“There is a huge hidden price tag that comes with cancer, having Macmillan benefits advisers in Scotland’s cancer centres is vital to ensure everyone gets the help they need.”
