MSPs to probe child poverty issue

Welfare groups welcomed news of the Scottish Parliament probe

An investigation into Scotland's child poverty problems is to be carried out by MSPs, it has been announced.

Holyrood's local government committee aims to find ways to tackle the estimated 90,000 youngsters living in severe poverty.

The move was welcomed by child welfare and other campaigning groups.

The committee probe will also scrutinise the current targets to half child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it by 2020.

Its convener, Labour MSP Duncan McNeil, said: "Child poverty adversely affects every aspect of a child's life including their health, education, future employment and well-being.

It's lasting change at that local level that's needed Tam Baillie Barnardo's Scotland

"Securing a childhood that is poverty-free and ensuring that today's children can fully realise their potential as tomorrow's active citizens is an issue that deserves our attention."

John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said the parliament had a vital role to play in ending the "scandal of child poverty".

Peter Kelly, the director of the Poverty Alliance, added: "Exploring the key issue of supporting parents into, and remaining in, decently paid work is critical when we know that half of all children living in poverty live in households where parents are in work."

And Tam Baillie, of Barnardo's Scotland, said action was needed across the UK to end child poverty, adding: "It's lasting change at that local level that's needed."

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