Child poverty in Scotland

A Westminster Hall debate on child poverty in Scotland recent trends in employment growth is scheduled for Wednesday the 30th of October at 14.30. The Member leading the debate is Hugh Gaffney MP.

This debate pack contains statistics, policy background, and potential drivers of child poverty in Scotland, as well as further information and resources which might be useful.

In the three-year period 2015/16-2017/18, 20% of children were in relative low income poverty in Scotland, when measured based on household incomes before housing costs (BHC), the same as the UK average. 

When measured based on incomes after housing costs (AHC), 24% of children were in relative low income poverty in Scotland, compared to a 30% UK average. Both have been on a broadly upward trend over the past few years.

Further Reading

Library briefing paper Poverty in the UK: statistics

CPAG and the Church of England, All Kids Count: the impact of the two-child limit after two years, 25 June 2019

Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 and Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan 2018-22