18 March 2019

Responding to a report from the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland that predicts around 80,000 more children living in poverty by 2021-22, Labour Shadow Cabinet Secretary for the Eradication of Poverty and Inequality, Elaine Smith said:

"This expert report should serve as a stark warning to the Tory and SNP governments about the impact of austerity in our communities.

"A single child living in poverty should be source of shame for our governments - the forecast that there will be a further 80,000 by 2021 is simply sickening.

"That is why we need to see an end to Tory austerity, and a Scottish government willing to use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to tackle poverty.

"Labour would increase child benefit by £5 per week, fix the housing crisis and deliver a £10 per hour real living wage.

"The Scottish government must bring forward its plans for an income supplement as a matter of urgency - families across Scotland cannot afford to wait."



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