A new report has called for low-income Scottish families to be given more support outside term times and after school hours.
The Poverty and Inequality Commission recommends a “coordinated package” of school holiday support that “addresses the full range of pressures faced by families”.
The organisation, which was asked to produce the report by the Scottish Government, recognised there were “some very innovative and successful examples” of local efforts to tackle these pressures.
However it said a lack of co-ordination of provision has led to “gaps, duplication and people being unaware of what was available”.
In addition, the organisation also called for improved access to holiday clubs, as well as an extra cash benefit outwith term time to make up for lost school meals.
The recommendations come after it was revealed Dundee has one of the worst rates of child poverty in Scotland.
The report, by the End Child Poverty Coalition, estimated more than 8,000 children – 28% – are growing up below the poverty line in the city.
David Dorward, founder and chairperson of Dundee Bairns, which provides food and activities for primary school children during holidays, said the report’s conclusions come as “no surprise”.
>> Keep up to date with the latest news with The Courier newsletter
He said: “The third sector is making a tremendous contribution to ensure every child has access to healthy food and, in the last two years, Dundee Bairns has provided 110,000 meals to children during all of the school holidays.
“As demand continues to grow, we agree that additional investment is vital to ease the pressure upon families experiencing hardship but that must include the services already delivering this vital work to ensure that we can create a food secure society where no child goes hungry.”
Ewan Gurr, a non-executive director at Social Security Scotland, trustee of Dundee Bairns and the former manager of Dundee Foodbank and The Trussell Trust in Scotland, added: “No one organisation can address poverty in Dundee alone but statutory services and voluntary services working closely together alongside local government is crucial to address the challenges we, as a city, face.
“I invite our local elected councillors to join I, and a number of other representatives from frontline organisations in Dundee, to a tour of local projects trying to address the effects of hunger in our city and to engage in a wider conversation about how we can make Dundee a food secure city.”
Fife Council said it is striving to provide help to low-income families.
A spokesperson said: “There are many initiatives in Fife where people can access free or low-cost healthy food.
“These include community cafes, community fridges / pantries, and community growing spaces.
“Since summer, a multi-agency food insecurity steering group has been in place and is continuing to take forward work as a priority across the Kingdom.”
A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “The city council is working with the Child Poverty Action Group Scotland on issues following recommendations from the Fairness Commission.”
Angus Council as well as Perth & Kinross Council were approached for comment.
