Map of child poverty in Scotland published

Date: 5th October 2014
Category: Child poverty

The Campaign to End Child Poverty has published a child poverty map of Scotland (and the rest of the UK) which shows unacceptable levels of child poverty across Scotland and how widely and deeply child poverty reaches into our communities.

The map shows levels of child poverty at local authority, ward and UK parliamentary constituency. This is the first time local child poverty has been mapped after taking housing costs in account.

Key findings include:

• Child poverty is at least the national average of 1 in 4 children in eight local areas (Glasgow, Clackmannanshire, Dundee, E.Ayrshire, Inverclyde, N. Ayrshire, W. Dunbartonshire and N. Lanarkshire)
• In Glasgow 1 in 3 children live in poverty
• A further 10 authorities have an average of 1 in 5 children living in poverty
• Even in area with lowest levels 1 in 10 children still live in poverty
• There is variation within local authority areas showing inequalities within local authorities as well as between, with some wards having much higher levels of poverty - in Glasgow for example Springburn high as 44% and Partick West at 21%. In Aberdeen - Bridge of Don at 5% and Tillydrone/Seaton/Old Aberdeen at nearly 30%.

The Campaign to End Child Poverty is concerned about the impact on children and families and are calling for increased action to tackle the drivers of child poverty. This is everyone's business and we all have a part to play.

The campaign recommends:

• The Scottish Government to step up delivery of the child poverty strategy. Action is needed across the country to improve families pockets, children's prospects and the places children grow up. The strategy sets out welcome goals but these need to be translated into action more urgently
• All parents are in good jobs and removing barriers to work
• Reduce the education gap between children living in poverty and their peers
• Reduce household spend
• Local and national housing policy to focus on keeping rents down in the private and social sector
• Local government and partners to prioritise child poverty by protecting families with children in decisions about local services and budgets

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is clear that children have a right to live their lives free from poverty. Articles 27 and 28 of the Convention assert that children have the right to a standard of living adequate to meet their physical and mental needs and detail the government's duty to assist those who are 'poor or in need'.

• Access the child poverty map here.