And the Scottish Executive has pledged to make major in-roads into the problem by 2002 with the help of some �1.5bn of public money.

Wendy Alexander: "�1.5bn of public money"

However, a United Nations Children's Fund report revealed earlier this month that child poverty in the UK was amongst the worst in the developed world.

It ranks 20th out of 23 countries in the table of relative poverty - classed as families with an income less than half the national average.

And Scottish National Party MSP Alex Neil says Labour's promises to eradicate child poverty in 20 years "amount to nothing more than a gross deception of the people of Scotland".

Nevertheless, Ms Alexander believes progress is being made, not only to end child poverty, but to deliver full employment and ensure dignity in old age.

She said: "Our vision is a Scotland where every child, regardless of family background, has the best possible start in life.

Joint action

"As a result of measures announced in the budgets since 1997, we are on course to remove 100,000 Scottish children from poverty.

"Striking at the roots of poverty means joint action - so we are working closely with Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling to tackle poverty together.

The executive wants to ensure children have the best start

"But this is also about poor health, bad housing and low aspirations."

Ms Alexander said poverty and illness often go hand in hand with children in places like Easterhouse, in Glasgow, five times more likely than the UK average to die before their first birthday.

She added: "That's why improving child health is a top priority for the executive with a doubled maternity grant and new initiatives for expectant mothers, babies and toddlers.

"Damp housing contributes to childhood ill health and asthma. The Healthy Homes Initiative - to improve 100,000 houses suffering from dampness and condensation - is the biggest ever energy efficiency programme in Scotland.

"Only by large-scale new investment can we improve the homes our children are brought up in.

"On childcare, we are investing �42m through SureStart Scotland to improve services for the critical first three years of life, and we are keeping our promise that all three and four year olds will have a nursery place by 2002."