First Minister John Swinney has issued a rallying call for Scotland to “think big and act bold” in its mission to eradicate child poverty.
In a speech set to be delivered in Stirling this Wednesday, Mr Swinney will stress that eliminating child poverty is both a moral and economic necessity for the nation.
He will urge Scotland to unite in the face of this deep-rooted challenge, warning that there are no simple solutions to such a complex issue.
Central to his address will be the need for collaborative effort across society, alongside targeted measures in the Scottish Budget aimed at alleviating poverty.
The proposed Budget includes £3 million to develop systems to mitigate the two-child cap, a policy that could lift 15,000 children out of poverty.
It also promises an investment of nearly £1.3 billion more in devolved benefits than would have been allocated if these benefits were controlled by Westminster.
Additionally, £768 million is earmarked to accelerate the delivery of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme by 2025-26.
The First Minister will highlight the importance of better alignment between services and organisations to ensure families in need receive timely and effective support.
He believes that tackling child poverty is not just about increasing funding but also about smarter, more joined-up delivery of resources.
“There is a moral imperative – it’s simply wrong to condemn any child to a life of disadvantage because of their economic circumstances,” Mr Swinney is expected to say.
He will argue that Scotland’s full potential cannot be realised until every citizen has the opportunity to thrive, making the eradication of child poverty vital to the nation’s success.
Emphasising a forward-thinking approach, Mr Swinney will call for bold ideas and decisive action to confront long-standing challenges.
“Nobody else will fix Scotland’s deep-seated problems for us,” he will state, reaffirming his commitment to fostering unity and finding lasting solutions.
While investment is essential, the First Minister will underline that effective support often lies in better coordination and delivery.
Urging everyone to see child poverty as “everybody’s business,” he will highlight the long-term benefits of addressing this issue for Scotland’s future prosperity.
With his speech, Mr Swinney aims to galvanise collective action, reminding Scotland that bold action today will shape a brighter tomorrow for its children.
