May 27, 2025
SNP ACTION KEEPING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY IN NORTH LANARKSHIRE
Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, has highlighted new figures which show the progress the SNP Scottish Government is making on its key priority of eradicating child poverty in North Lanarkshire, and across Scotland.
24,935 children and young people in North Lanarkshire were supported by the Scottish Child Payment at the end of March.
The relative child poverty rate in Scotland is four percentage points lower than it would be without the policy in place.
Ms Adamson has urged the Labour UK Government to roll out the Scottish Child Payment model UK wide.
Whilst the SNP continues to take real action to eradicate child poverty by committing to mitigate the impact of the cruel two-child cap policy, the Labour UK government is now reported to have delayed publication of its long-awaited child poverty strategy.
Save the Children has expressed its disappointment with the decision, saying that the delay could push a further 20,000 children into poverty.
Meanwhile, the Department of Work and Pensions own analysis has said that Labour’s decision to cut disability benefits will push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty.
Clare Adamson, SNP MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said:
“Under John Swinney’s leadership, the SNP has made eradicating child poverty its number one priority – with Scotland the only part of the UK where child poverty is expected to fall as a direct result of SNP policies.
“The Scottish Child Payment has been hailed by anti-poverty charities for the impact it has had.
“In contrast, Labour is cutting social security support for sick and disabled people and they continue to dither on the two child cap which is a huge driver of child poverty.
“We need action from Labour. Are they going to ditch the two-child cap, or leave it to the SNP to step in again? Are they going to reinstate the winter fuel payment, as the SNP has done? People deserve those answers but it seems Labour leaders will just waffle on while people are struggling.
“While Labour delays and deflects, breaking promise after promise, the SNP Government gets on with delivery.
“Keir Starmer’s focus is on pandering to Nigel Farage and his empty populism. But the SNP is always focused on standing up for Scotland and its people.”
