Comment on poverty statistics

Today's poverty statistics reveal that one million people in Scotland, more than a fifth of them children, are living in relative poverty after housing costs.

Commenting on the announcement, Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said:

"It is simply wrong that in Scotland today, child poverty is on the rise again. We know this can have a hugely negative impact on children’s health, wellbeing and future life chances.

"After housing costs, nearly a quarter of all children in Scotland are now living in poverty. This is directly linked to spiralling housing costs and our chronic shortage of affordable homes. Our housing crisis is robbing more and more children of a decent standard of life.

“A major step change in the number of affordable homes available in communities across Scotland will help to tackle this. There is no room for complacency on our national commitment to build more affordable homes.”

Graeme Brown added:

"We would urge the Scottish Government to bring forward its date for cutting child poverty currently set for 2030. That's a long time to wait for a lot of children who need to see action now."