It wants action across social security and public services to deliver better childhoods
Save the Children has published a routemap outlining the bold action needed during the next Scottish Parliament to achieve the 2030 child poverty targets.
Polling conducted by the charity shows people in Scotland want to see politicians from all parties investing in children and in a better future for all of us.
The Scottish Parliament made a commitment to making this a reality when it set legally binding targets to reduce child poverty by 2030 - but progress is slow.
Devastating statistics show that nearly one in four children are being held back by poverty.
Save The Children says parties must use next year's Holyrood election as an opportunity to rebuild trust with the public by acting on the things that matter most and setting out a clear path to ending child poverty.
It has published a routemap to reaching the 2030 targets, bringing together action across social security and public services, to deliver better childhoods.
Claire Telfer, head of Scotland at Save the Children, said: “We’ve made welcome progress on child poverty in recent years, but families across Scotland are still struggling. A combination of high costs, low-pay and insufficient social security means that too many families just can't make ends meet. This has left many feeling overlooked by politicians.
“Next year's election is a moment to change that. By taking real action on the things that matter to children and families, like taking the bold steps needed to meet the 2030 child poverty targets political parties can deliver better childhoods and a better future for Scotland.
"This means taking strong action to boost family incomes, and to ensure families can access high quality services – the two must go hand in hand to unlock better childhoods and create a happier, more prosperous Scotland.
“Meeting the 2030 targets is about unlocking better childhoods, and a happier and more prosperous Scotland. We can’t accept anything less for children, and for our shared future.”
