Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017
| Act of the Scottish Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act of the Scottish Parliament to set targets relating to the eradication of child poverty; to make provision about plans and reports relating to the targets; and to establish the Poverty and Inequality Commission and provide for its functions. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2017 asp 6 |
| Introduced by | Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 18 December 2017 |
| Commencement |
|
Status: Current legislation | |
| History of passage through the Parliament | |
The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 (asp 6) is an act of the Scottish Parliament relating to the reduction of child poverty in Scotland.
History
[edit]Certain sections of the Child Poverty Act 2010 were repealed by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, including provisions relating to income-based targets.[1]
Legislative passage
[edit]The act was passed unanimously by MSPs.[2]
Provisions
[edit]The act reinstates targets relating to income that were previously contained in the Child Poverty Act 2010.[1]
The act places an obligation on the Scottish government to have achieved the following targets by 2030:[3]
- Fewer than 10% of children living in households in relative poverty (in 2017: 22%)
- Fewer than 5% of children living in households in absolute poverty (in 2017: 21%)
- Fewer than 5% of children living in households combining low income and material deprivation (in 2017: 12%)
- Fewer than 5% of children living in households in persistent poverty
The act also establishes reporting mechanisms, and places a duty on the government to publish delivery plans in 2018, 2021 and 2026.[3] It also requires the government, local authorities and health boards to report on what they are doing to reduce child poverty.[3]
The act establishes the Poverty and Inequality Commission, responsible for the following:[4]
- to advise the Scottish Government's child poverty delivery plans, and any other matter relating to poverty and inequality
- to scrutinise annual progress towards the statutory targets
- to promote the reduction of poverty and inequality in Scotland
Implementation
[edit]Between 2015/2016 and 2021/2022, child poverty rose in every local authority in Scotland.[5]
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has suggested that increased access to childcare and reform of the labour market to encourage flexible working would allow more parents to take jobs, which would be one way to contribute to achieving the targets.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kennedy, Dionne (9 November 2017). "Scotland aims to end child poverty with new "historic" bill". The Big Issue. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Bol, David (8 June 2021). "SNP to pledge to 'eradicate poverty' despite child poverty struggles". The Herald. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "MSPs set targets for reduction of child poverty by 2030". BBC News. 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 3 July 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ Scott, Bill (4 October 2023). "'Speak up, Speak out: Communities and the Cost of Living Crisis'". Concept: The Journal of Contemporary Community Education Practice Theory. 14 (2): 1–8. ISSN 2042-6968.
- ^ Williams, Martin (19 May 2021). "Child poverty rises in every Scottish local authority over last six years with one topping the list". The Herald. Archived from the original on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
- ^ "Flexible working urged to eradicate child poverty in Scotland". BBC News. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2025.