Gil Paterson welcomes Scottish Government measures to tackle child poverty

​MEASURES taken to reduce child poverty in Clydebank and Milngavie have been welcomed by Gil Paterson MSP.

On Monday, August 8 a consultation was launched ahead of The Child Poverty Bill, which will be introduced next year.

The Scottish Government aims to eradicate child poverty — an issue that has scarred Scotland for generations.

The consultation asks for comments on the proposals to introduce four statutory income targets seeking to drastically reduce child poverty by 2030.

It also focuses on how existing work can be strengthened.

It is among of other measures, such as the commitment to the Living Wage, free school meals, expansion of funded early learning and childcare, and the Scottish Attainment Challenge.

Gil Paterson MSP endorsed the work of the Scottish Government.
The Scottish National Party MSP said: “A great deal of the work my office handles is related to child poverty and the effects of it, so this is great progress in tackling this huge social and economic problem locally.

“I am delighted to see the Scottish Government taking an active approach to end the blight of child poverty. It will surely help youngsters in Clydebank and Milngavie who find themselves in dire circumstances through no fault of their own.”

The consultation asks for comments on proposals to introduce four statutory income targets. 

It also asks whether there are additional or alternative measures of poverty we should consider; and how particular elements of our approach – including our existing measurement framework and advisory structure - could be strengthened. 

Visit https://consult.scotland.gov.uk/social-justice/consultation-on-a-child-poverty-bill-for-scotland for more information.