Child Poverty Targets to reduce child poverty by one quarter by by half by 2010…and eradicate it by 2020 “Our historic aim, that ours is the first generation to end child poverty forever …It’s a 20-year mission, but I believe it can be done” Tony Blair, March 1999

What is poverty? Individuals, families and groups in the population can be said to be in poverty when they lack resources to obtain the type of diet, participate in the activities and have the living conditions and amenities which are customary, or at least widely encouraged and approved, in the societies in which they belong. (Townsend 1979)

How much? People are considered as living in poverty if they live in households with less than 60% of average household income. A lone parent family with two children (aged between 5 and 14) are defined as living in poverty if they are living on less than £256 per week. A couple with two children (aged between 5 and 14) are defined as living in poverty if they are living on less than £346 per week. This averages out at just over £12 a day. Child poverty is not simply a consequence of long term unemployment. Figures from the Department for Work and Pensions' Households Below Average Income report show that - 61% of child poverty occurs in households where at least one adult is working. Source: Households Below Average Income, An analysis of the income distribution 1994/95 – 2011/12, Table 4.3db. Department for Work and Pensions, 2013

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland Poverty and income inequality in Scotland: 2012/13 (1 July 2014)

Child Poverty Map of the UK, October 2014 On average throughout the UK, one in four (25.1%) children are classified as living in poverty once housing costs have been deducted from their income Sixteen parliamentary constituencies have per cent of children in poverty on this measure; nine are in London, three each in Birmingham and Manchester and one in Glasgow. (41 % of children in Glasgow central are living in poverty: after housing costs 2013) Source: Compilation of child poverty local indicators 2014 update by Donald Hirsch and Laura Valadez, Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP), Loughborough University. (August 2014). In Scotland 220,000 children are living in poverty, one in five of the child population According to the new figures, one in three children in Glasgow live in poverty, while more than a quarter of children in five other local authorities are also growing up in poverty: Clackmannanshire (26%), Dundee (28%), East Ayrshire (26%), Inverclyde (26%) and North Ayrshire (27%) East Ayrshire (26%) North Ayrshire (27%) South Ayrshire (24%)

Why focus on children?

Because….. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: All children under the age of 18 have the right to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health and the right to a standard of living that is sufficient to meet their physical, emotional and social developmental needs. Children experiencing socio-economic disadvantage are at higher risk of poor outcomes (in education, employment, health, well-being and relationships) in childhood and adulthood due to a lack of resources throughout their lives. Poverty damages health Health compromised from birth – low birth weight; unintentional injuries; developmental difficulties (Growing Up in Scotland 2010) Fuel Poverty Impacts on asthma, allergy, risk of injury and stigmatisation (Good Places, Better Health 2011) Poverty undermines learning Nine months behind by the age of three and the gap widens as go through school (JRF 2014) Poverty undermines life chances More likely to be unemployed as an adult and more likely to be the parents facing poverty in the future (JRF 2014)

What actions can be taken? Addressing the underlying societal inequalities Relieving poverty by bringing more money into a child’s household Secure, safe and warm environments Social and emotional wellbeing Source: NHS Health Scotland 2013

Proportionate Universalism Universal health visiting service Childs assessment Identification of need Needs led care