Young Scots urge politicians to end child poverty

Manifesto promises to end child poverty will mean nothing unless they lead to life-changing reforms.

Our warning comes as all the main parties pledge to tackle the poverty blighting the lives and sabotaging the futures of one in four children in Scotland.

We have invited party leaders  to special hustings to be quizzed by children and teenagers asking how they will ease the poverty endured by 240,000 young Scots and will be staging an election summit backed by other influential Third Sector organisations and anti-poverty campaigners.

As we campaign for a raft of policies designed to ease child poverty including the scrapping of debt owed by children for school meals, we anticipate the talks raising the voice of young Scots on one of the campaign’s most critical issues.

SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of Aberlour, said: “It is difficult to think of a more important issue facing our country or one that demands more urgent action.

“Every party has promised to address this national emergency but it would be more remarkable if any party did not make that promise.

“Their promises are welcome but do not feed a child. Promises do not keep children warm at night or keep feet dry when their shoes are leaking.

“Only action not promises can make the life-changing difference demanded and effective action demands commitment and resource.”

“The Scottish leaders of all the main parties have prioritised child poverty and we have invited them to detail their plans to an audience with a particular interest.

“These children and young people may not be voting in this election but their voices must be raised and their questions should be answered.”

Aberlour has invited all the party leaders to attend the hustings at the Glasgow Science Centre next week to face questions from the young audience.

First minister John Swinney last month promised eradicating child poverty warning is the absolute priority for his government warning it “stands in the way of both social justice and economic growth.”

Read the Aberlour 2024 general election manifesto.

Article published in The Sunday Post, 9 June 2024