Calls for cross-party approach to tackling child poverty

STV
Tackling poverty: Jack McConnell wants joint action to tackle the root causes of the problem.© STV

Jack McConnell has called for a cross-party approach to tackling child poverty, describing the problem as "the challenge of our generation".

The former First Minister and MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw made the plea in his new role as board chairman of the Radio Clyde Cash for Kids appeal - his first charity post since leaving the Scottish Parliament earlier this year.

Mr McConnell's comments come as STV launches a major drive to tackle child poverty in Scotland in the first stage of a long-term partnership with The Hunter Foundation (THF).

Cash for Kids has raised more than £20m for vulnerable children in the west of Scotland over the last 30 years.

Calling on all political parties to work together to tackle child poverty, Mr McConnell said: "All agree that early intervention is central, and teenagers who are vulnerable need many chances to develop.

"All agree that government, business and voluntary organisations must work together. But each of us, my government included, has tried to do it on our own.

"This is too big for such a single party approach. Surely all parties, and levels of government, can agree on the basic actions that are required - and all parties can commit to them."

One in five children in Scotland live in poverty and around 15,000 live in care. Mr McConnell called for "sustained action" to tackle the root causes of the problem.

"Child poverty is a bigger issue than any political party, any politician or indeed any one organisation," he said. "We need a poverty reduction strategy that we all buy into and commit to over the long term.

"So today my challenge to (Work and Pensions Secretary) Iain Duncan Smith is prove you mean it - invite the Scottish Government and others here in Scotland to work with you.

"To Alex Salmond and the SNP - use your new majority to do the right thing and reach out to the opposition to agree a way ahead.

"And to the opposition parties – accept these offers and join in a concerted effort to win the battle against child poverty in Scotland over a generation, whoever is in charge."

Mr McConnell, a former maths teacher, district councillor and MSP since 1999, stepped down at the last Holyrood election saying he wanted to move on to "part two" of his career.

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