Poverty 'hitting the young hardest'

Adults under 30 are the most likely group to experience poverty in Scotland, according to a new report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The report, Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion in Scotland, also found they were only group whose chances have not improved over the last ten years. This was due to persistently high levels of disadvantage in health, education and work, it said.

JRF chief executive Julia Unwin said: "Falls in child and pensioner poverty over the past decade in Scotland show that poverty can be reduced, but sustained action must be taken to stop a lack of high-quality work, and a shortage of affordable homes from trapping a generation of young people in poverty.

"All of us in government and local government as well as employers, housing providers and the NHS, need a shared focus to alleviate the impacts of poverty across all age groups."

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said the report highlighted what the Scottish Government was doing to mitigate cuts from Westminster.

“This is a welcome report that highlights the risks of experiencing poverty for people of all ages, especially young adults." he said, adding: "many people with jobs remain in poverty - that’s why well-rewarded, sustainable employment provides the best route out of poverty. We pay the Living Wage and we encourage all employers to follow suit.”

Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran said young Scots had been failed by the Tories. “Poverty in the private rented sector has rocketed in the past ten years, but when Scottish Labour tried to ban rip off rent rises last year the Tories and the SNP joined together to block our plans. Only Scottish Labour is standing up for private renting tenants in Scotland," she said.