Child poverty

The Scottish government is legally required to reduce relative child poverty to less than 10 per cent by 2030/31. Picture: PA

Only one in four Scots say enough being done to tackle child poverty

The Scottish Human Rights Commission said the rising costs of living meant the effects of poverty on people’s lives were being seen 'ever more starkly'. Picture: PA

Ministers 'failing' to uphold human rights over poverty, watchdog says

Scotland has long been blighted by high rates of child poverty (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Shocking number of children in poverty must galvanise SNP into action Claire Telfer

Cabinet secretary for Education, culture and Gaelic Mairi McAllan visits Broughton High School

McAllan: 'School welcome bag uncosted but will be value for money'

Michael Marra MSP

'Labour will rediscover its soul' under my leadership, says Marra

Pupils at Barrhead High, in East Renfrewshire, celebrate their outstanding exam results.

Scotland's exam results 'incredibly positive' as pass rates increase

Time to replace targets with real action

First Minister John Swinney and Political Correspondent Rachel Amery enjoy Civerino's pizza on Portobello Beach

Swinney: 'Doom-monger' opponents are 'dull, boring and uninspiring'

Sor the paladin, Celaena the druid and Azara the wizard - also known as Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer, Political Correspondent Rachel Amery, and co-leader Gillian Mackay.

Scottish Greens co-leaders on extremism, wealth and Dungeons & Dragons

SNP leader John Swinney

John Swinney to argue 'trusted leadership' as SNP manifesto revealed

More than 200 paediatricians demand 'turning point' in child health

A mother who flees domestic abuse can find herself pursued by public bodies for her ex-partner's debts (Picture: PYMCA/Avalon)

How government pursues debts with less compassion than private sector Justina Murray

Broken systems mean people are being corralled down long-term paths of debt and destitution (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Poverty is political choice that next Scottish Government must change Emma Jackson

People working in the hospitality sector can be paid less than the Real Living Wage (Picture: Jack Taylor)

Next government must make different choices to tackle in-work poverty Jack Evans

Scotland's benefits bill not a 'drag', says chief economist

Finance Secretary Shona Robison and First Minister John Swinney

Recap what happened at the SNP Scottish budget 2026/27

Finance Secretary Shona Robison answers questions as she delivers the budget at the Scottish Parliament on January 13, 2026.

Scottish Child Benefit Payment Rise: Who gets it, how much is it?

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Finance Secretary Shona Robison and First Minister John Swinney

Scottish Budget: What to expect in Shona Robison's spending plans

For some people, Christmas dinner may come from a food bank (Picture: Jonathan Brady)

How Scottish child payment has made real difference to people's lives Kitty Stewart, Emma Tominey and Ruth Patrick

Shona Robison

Why Shona Robison's job has been 'made slightly easier' by Reeves

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament

Keeping windfall tax was 'right choice', insists Anas Sarwar

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Anas Sarwar demands 'package to bring down energy bills' in UK Budget

Aberlour has seen a 17 per cent year on year increase in emergency payments to poor families.

Exclusive Surge in emergency payments as charity calls for scrap of benefit cap

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will set out her budget at the end of this month.

Chancellor's Budget approach causing 'economic distortion' - experts

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers a speech in the media briefing room of 9 Downing Street on November 4, 2025. She has hinted that the two-child benefit cap could be scrapped in the 2025 Budget (Photo: WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Budget 2025: Chancellor Reeves hints at extra support for families

Campaigners gather on Edinburgh's Calton Hill at the launch of the Scotland Demands Better march (Picture: Jane Barlow)

This government policy pushes 109 children into poverty every day Joanne Smith

Campaigners from the Poverty Alliance gather on Calton Hill in Edinburgh for the launch of the Scotland Demands Better march, which will take place on Saturday

Westminster has failed Scots, says Swinney ahead of demo

Volunteers and staff sort through food donations at Glasgow South East Food Bank (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Exclusive Foodbanks hit record high as ministers overseeing crisis 'deepening'

Child poverty was rife in Victorian Scotland, and it remains a serious problem today (Painting by Thomas Faed)

Message about child poverty from 1875 Scotsman reader still applies SallyAnn Kelly

Nicola Sturgeon

Sturgeon admits she made a 'mistake' over school attainment gap pledge

First Minister John Swinney appearing with comedian Susan Morrison at the Edinburgh Fringe - the event was disrupted five times by six different groups of protesters (Picture: Craig Paton/PA Wire)

Readers' Letters: Here's how John Swinney can dig himself out of a hole

Children enjoying playing on swings in a park.

Date set for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped in Scotland

Centre for Cities claim directly-elected mayors receive more investment, better infrastructure, and faster growth.

Glasgow needs a mayor or risks being left behind, think-tank says

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill urged the Scottish Government to do more

UK minister slams SNP Government over lack of skills for young people

First Minister John Swinney

Analysis John Swinney's first year as FM was defined by opponents' mistakes

The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Picture: PA

John Swinney sets out his new Programme for Government

John Swinney's programme for government will be outlined tomorrow (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

John Swinney vows to unveil 'radical' Programme for Government

The SNP's Scottish Child Payment is a serious tool for tackling child poverty but it should be better integrated with the welfare system run by Westminster (Picture: Gareth Fuller)

How earning £1 more can strip poor family of £1,400 a year in benefits Donald Hirsch

The SNP has missed a target to reduce child poverty rates to 18 per cent (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Economic growth, not benefits, is the key to tackling child poverty Scotsman comment

SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison claimed Scotland would suffer due to the Spring Statement

SNP will do 'everything' to avoid replicating UK welfare cuts

SNP set for Labour benefits funds collision to rescue poverty targets

Finance Secretary Shona Robison

When the Scottish Budget will be announced and how to watch

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, poses with the red Budget Box

Labour plans mean £9 billion of cuts after next year, economists warn

A major charity has declared a 'childhood emergency' in Scotland.

'Childhood emergency' declared in Scotland

Politicians need to turn their words about eradicating child poverty into real action (Picture: Gareth Fuller)

Why Scotland cannot afford to keep one million people in poverty Susan Dalgety

Most Scottish councils don't automatically pay school uniform grants

SNP tells Scottish schools to get rid of traditional blazers

First Minister John Swinney and finance secretary Shona Robison (Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Double defeat for Swinney's SNP in 'humiliating' blow to authority

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