Majority of Scots support more help for poorest families, says charity

More than half of Scots support increasing financial support and debt relief for families on the lowest incomes, according to research.

In a survey commissioned by children’s charity Aberlour, 56% of respondents said they want more action to ease the lives of children growing up in poverty, through offering families more support.

Aberlour research suggests one in four young people are living in financial hardship in Scotland, with the number sitting at one in two in the poorest postcodes.

The survey, conducted in September and October and involving more than 1,000 people, found 56% of Scots support increasing the Scottish child payment by 50% from just under £27 to £40 a week, with 19% opposed to such a move.

The survey also found 70% of Scots support action to ease the burden of public debt, like council tax and rent arrears, with 65% believing pursuing the debt is trapping families in poverty.

The poll, conducted by nfpResearch, also shows 65% of Scots believe poverty is undermining the education of youngsters, and 83% support providing free school meals to more children.

SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of Aberlour, said: “It seems clear most Scots would like the lives and life chances of young people growing up in poverty to be better protected.

SallyAnn Kelly of Aberlour urged action from ministers PA Media

“The impact of poverty on children, families and communities is escalating and demands effective and urgent action.”

Aberlour has urged the Scottish Government to increase the Scottish child payment and for UK ministers to scrap the two-child benefit cap.

Ms Kelly added: “In Scotland, increasing the child payment to £40 would bring huge benefits to some of our poorest families.

“However, on average, families are paying £80 a month to public bodies, and there is no point in giving with one hand and taking with the other.”

The survey results come as Aberlour launches its winter poverty relief fundraising campaign, with every pound donated being delivered to families in the most extreme hardship through its urgent assistance fund.

The fund has given more than £3.3 million to families in four years to help buy food and clothing or pay for heating, with average payments of £306.

Ms Kelly said: “This is something that can be changed. Previous governments have changed it.

“It can be done and it is almost always about putting money into households.

“Wider reforms will help in time but, right now, giving direct financial support to the poorest families will help most.

“That must be done with far more impact and urgency.”

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We know that many families are still struggling as a result of the cost-of-living crisis – which is why are allocating around £3 billion a year to policies which tackle poverty.

“Modelling published in February estimates that Scottish Government policies, including our game-changing Scottish child payment, will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty this year.

“UK Government investment in social security could bring hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty across the UK. That is why we continue to call for the UK Government to abolish the two-child limit and the benefit cap, and to follow this Government’s lead by matching the Scottish child payment.”

The UK Government has been contacted for comment.