MP says child poverty report delivers a 'shocking indictment' of modern society
Children in some parts of Scotland are growing up amid Victorian-era levels of poverty, a Fife MP has warned.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 10.01.12
- Published online : 10.01.12 @ 03.15pm
Glenrothes and Central Fife MP Lindsay Roy says it is ''scandalous'' that four out of 10 children in Buckhaven, Methil and the Wemyss villages are said to live in child poverty.
Figures released by the Campaign To End Child Poverty (PDF link) reveal stark differences in UK child poverty levels. Based on UK constituencies, 28% of children in Mr Roy's ward will grow up in poverty — more than double the rate of 12% in neighbouring North East Fife.
However, they also reveal child poverty is higher in some parts of the Glenrothes constituency than others.
In its Methil, Buckhaven and Wemyss Villages ward child poverty is 40% — one of the highest in Scotland. Higher rates are only found in some parts of Glasgow.
Mr Roy said: ''The fact overall child poverty in my constituency stands at 28% is a shocking statistic in its own right. However, that frightening figure almost pales into insignificance in the light of the revelation that in Buckhaven, Methil and the Wemyss villages it is as high as 40% and can only be described as scandalous.''
He added: ''It is a shocking indictment that in 21st-century Britain we have communities where four out of every 10 youngsters are living like this. That's the sort of poverty you expected in Victorian times, yet a key benchmark of a civilised society is how we support those who are most in need.
''Successive governments have failed to live up to their promises to tackle the problem, but what is truly worrying is that under the current administration an already dire situation is expected to get much worse.
''Changes to the benefits system brought in by the Tory-led coalition as part of the deficit reduction programme will impact most severely on needy families who are already struggling to make ends meet.''
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern, whose constituency has a child poverty rate of 27%, described the figures as "truly shocking".
''In Dundee five council wards have 30% or over of resident children living in poverty," he said. ''It is clear that much more has to be done by the Scottish Executive to end this appalling state of affairs.
''The SNP have promised to produce a child poverty strategy, but it has taken nearly five years for them to get around to it.''
Almost every Scottish council area has wards where more than one in five children live in poverty, which is defined as when they live in families in receipt of out-of-work benefits or in work tax credits where reported income is less than 60% of median income before housing costs are taken into account.
End Child Poverty In Scotland is calling for urgent action and for the UK Government to rethink benefit cuts.
John Dickie, speaking on behalf of Scottish members of the Campaign To End Child Poverty, said: ''It is shameful that in almost every part of our country there are children who are missing out and seeing their future life chances seriously harmed.
''With public spending budgets under severe pressure, the need to invest to prevent the numbers of children living in poverty spiralling is greater than ever.''
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ''We are determined to address the root causes of child poverty. That's why we launched Scotland's first ever national strategy to tackle child poverty last year, which will see Scotland's poorest families benefit from help to increase their household incomes and improve their children's life chances.
''This builds on innovative homegrown policies such as freezing council tax, abolishing prescription charges, expanding concessionary travel schemes and providing a wide range of heating help for low-income families.
''However, full control of the tax and benefits system will enable the Scottish Government to tackle inequalities more effectively.''
He added: ''To effectively tackle child poverty, the UK Government must implement tax and benefit policies that are properly financed, simple to understand, lift people out of poverty and make work pay.''
03.51pm - 10.01.2012 self control - Dundee, Tayside Report This
If you can't afford to bring up a child, dont have any. Trouble with society is people just do what they want and dont consider how it affects others including their own children. The usual suspects, throwing money at them is not the answer. I restricted my offspring to 1 in line with my income.
07.47pm - 10.01.2012 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
I suppose to Mr Roy all this has only been since 2007, when the SNP came into Govt. There was of course no poverty when NuLab were in power for 13 yrs in London & 8 in Edinburgh & longer in Fife. & the gap between the richest and poorest was nil when Gordy was PM. Now where is the tooth fairy?!
08.55pm - 10.01.2012 LM - Dundee, Scotland Report This
@self control..get a grip! Not everyone has your gift of fortune telling, where we can look in a crystal ball and know how life may be in years to come. Civilised society cares for it`s most vulnerable. Society governed by greed makes the rich richer and the poor poorer.
10.58am - 11.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
It is n't just about making work pay it's also about making employment accessible.It is n't just about the level of a family's income it's about how it's spent or how is has to be spent.It's also about poverty of enviroment,opportunity,atittude (and that includes professionals and support workers).
11.03am - 11.01.2012 self control - Dundee, Scotland Report This
LM ... Life is what you make it and it is fairly predictable. Obviously there are certain circumstances that can affect the minority of people however these figures are boosted by those who don't want to work, junkies and silly girls who get pregnant without thinking about the consequences.
11.23am - 11.01.2012 self control - Dundee, scotland Report This
LM. Civilised society should tackle the root cause of the problem to solve the issue long term. I'm on a low wage but I do not resent or expect 'rich' people to support me, I live within my means and put my child first. The majority of 'rich' people are paid in relation to the work they do.
10.29am - 12.01.2012 Charles N. - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ Eoin. Pockets of Fife (Leven &c) are getting worse, I suppose that means over the past few years. We have an SNP Executive in charge. So what's the answer now?
02.09pm - 14.01.2012 Thornindaside - perth, scotland Report This
@LM but society is supporting you unless this low wage of yours pay for your child's education health care,you pay the full cost of the water you consume from your taps,council run leisure facilities,you own your house or are paying full rent in the private sector ect.Root causes tackled in the past
09.31pm - 16.01.2012 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
#Charles N; Child poverty in Scotland was 25% in 2007 according to reports. If it is now "only" 20% it is an improvement. But what an indictment of the Union it is that a resource rich nation like Scotland has to endure 20% while the small West Eur nation average is about 5%. What Union dividend?
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