SallyAnn Kelly, chief executive of Aberlour children's charity, strongly criticizes the insufficient action taken by both the Scottish and UK governments to address child poverty. She argues that the current policies inflict deliberate harm on children. The Scottish Government's failure to meet its interim targets for reducing child poverty is highlighted, along with concerns over the two-child limit on benefits in the UK.
Aberlour, supported by 23 other charities, advocates for increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week and urges the UK government to scrap the two-child limit. Kelly highlights the shame and stigma associated with poverty and stresses the need to address the issue across the UK. The charity also emphasizes the impact of public debt collection on the poorest families in Scotland, suggesting legislative changes to reduce debt burdens and improve family well-being.
The Scottish Government's response asserts its commitment to eradicating child poverty, citing the financial benefits of its policies. They also blame the UK Government's welfare cuts for exacerbating the issue. The UK Government, however, states that secure, well-paid work is the best route out of poverty. The differing viewpoints highlight the complexity and political sensitivities involved in addressing child poverty effectively.