Lack of 'political courage' keeping one million Scots in poverty, charity claims

A lack of "political courage" is keeping more than one million people in poverty in Scotland, a new report claims.

In a report critical of both Scottish and UK governments, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity calls on the SNP and Labour administrations to work together to "build a new consensus" in support of social security.

The report states that one in four of those suffering are children and there has been an increase in "very deep poverty" since the 1990s.

First Minister John Swinney has put eradicating child poverty at the centre of his legislative programme. But the Scottish Government's child poverty reduction target will "almost certainly be missed", according to the analysis.

However, the Scottish Child Payment, worth £26.70 per week, will reduce the problem by four percentage points between 2020-23 and 2024-25.

And while most powers of social security remain with Westminster, JRF says the change in UK administration from Conservative to Labour provides "a change to use these powers more effectively and reverse the policy failings of past administrations".

Investment in the social security system is crucial, the charity claims, and Universal Credit payments are not sufficient to protect recipients from want.

The standard allowance for a single person who is out of work comes in 64 per cent under the poverty line, it is claimed, while for under-25s the lower rate takes the deficit to 75 per cent.

"Landmark" social security steps like Pension Credit and Tax Credit which showed "change is possible" but have been "unpicked" since their inception, it is claimed. 

Chris Birt, associate director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation in Scotland, said: "The law describes social security as an 'investment in the people of Scotland' but people struggling to get by are being short-changed by a lack of political courage. 

"Poverty comes down when social security is enhanced.

"The new UK Government provides a key opportunity for politicians in both of Scotland's governments to seize their powers, and responsibilities, to deliver compassionate support for people in Scotland. 

"Far too many people experience daily struggles to get by and deserve better than platitudes about waiting for growth or tough decisions. People all over Scotland have tougher lives than our wealthy nation should tolerate, it is high time that changed." 

Responding to the report, Scottish secretary Ian Murray called current child poverty levels "unacceptable" and said the UK Government's taskforce on the matter will "use all available levers" to address the matter.

Murray stated: "As part of this, we're resetting our relationship with the Scottish Government and engaging with them on our shared goal – to ensure that every child in Scotland has the opportunity they deserve without poverty damaging their future prospects. 

"Taking action to reduce poverty is absolutely central to our mission to drive economic growth. We’re making work pay, ensuring the national minimum wage is a true living wage, planning JobCentre reform, and ending exploitative zero-hours contracts so workers have increased job security. At next week’s International Investment Summit, we will forge stronger links with our global business partners working together to achieve the growth that’s vital to raise living standards."

Scottish Government social justice secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville said her administration "stands ready to work with the UK Government, however this must be matched with action in the budget this month".

Calling for an end to the two-child limit and a UK-wide version of the Scottish Child Payment, she said: "Ending child poverty is the top priority of this government and we are determined to do all we can to deliver action at the pace and scale required to meet our targets. We have allocated £3bn a year since 2022-23 to polices which tackle poverty and the ongoing cost of living crisis. This includes providing free bus travel for around two million people, free school meals for all children in primaries one to five, and social security benefits and payments which are only available in Scotland."