The number of children in relative poverty in Scotland has remained constant in the last year at 210,000, or 21 per cent, a figure which Communities Minister Stewart Maxwell has described as 'morally unacceptable'.
The Scottish Households Below Average Income 2006/07 report also finds that the total number of individuals in relative poverty in Scotland has fallen by 40,000 since 2005/06 to 840,000, or 17 per cent of the population. The reduction in those in relative poverty – defined as having a net income, adjusted for household size and composition, of less than 60 per cent of the UK median - is of 30,000 working age adults and 10,000 pensioners.
The number of children in absolute poverty – defined as having a net income, adjusted for household size and composition, of less than 60 per cent of the 1998/99 GB median adjusted for inflation - fell by 10,000 but the percentage remains at 12 per cent. The number of children in combined low income and material deprivation, which is defined as having a net income, adjusted for household size and composition, of less than 70 per cent of the UK median and a material deprivation score of 25 or higher, increased by 30,000, returning to the level of 16 per cent reported in 2004/05.
Responding to the figures, Maxwell said that full control over the tax and benefits system would enable the Scottish Government to tackle poverty and low income more effectively, and he urged the UK Government to do more to halve child poverty by 2010.
Maxwell said: “The devolution settlement means we are fighting with one hand tied behind our back, restricting the Scottish Government's ability to take significant action to lift families out of poverty.
“Tackling inequalities in our society is a massive challenge and, although we have limited levers to effect change, we are determined to address these issues with a range of policies across Scottish Government portfolios.
“We are striving to improve the life chances of all our people and target the causes of poverty by providing greater access to jobs, improving early years provision, enhancing skills and educational achievement, and through the regeneration of our communities, better health and public services.
“Scotland has a proud history of compassion and an ethos of social justice - that history will inform our work as we build a better Scotland.”
The Scottish Government will publish its Anti-Poverty Framework later this year, following responses to its Discussion Paper on Tackling Poverty, Inequality and Deprivation in Scotland.
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