Tackling Child Poverty in Scotland
| In 1999, Britain had the worst child poverty record in the EU. Ten years ago, the UK Government announced plans to halve child poverty by 2010 and eradicate it completely by 2020 – an ambitious but commendable goal agreed by each of the devolved Governments of the United Kingdom. However, with figures showing that as a nation we are significantly short of meeting the half way goal, and the most recent Poverty and Inequality statistics for Scotland (for the year 2008-09) revealing that the number of children living in poverty has increased, claims have been made that progress on plans are stalling. So, how far have we really come and how far do we still have to go? Passed as an Act of Parliament earlier this year, the UK Child Poverty Act provides a statutory basis for the devolved Governments of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland to meet targets to help achieve the 2020 goal. Placing a duty on each, it enshrines in law a commitment to change by implementing measures that will tangibly improve the lives of those who are suffering from the causes and effects of poverty in today’s society. The draft Scottish implementation plan and strategy is due to be published by the end of the year with a final draft to be laid before Parliament in April 2011. Join us at our one day conference to examine the cause and effect of poverty, share good practice and hear about what is being done around the country, before feeding into the development of Scotland’s national strategy. |
In the morning, delegates will hear statistical and personal evidence of lives lived in poverty, examining why families are not only falling into poverty but are struggling to make it out. Hear also from Scotland’s Minister for Housing and Communities about what the Child Poverty Act 2010 means for Scotland and The Scottish Government's approach and next steps. To close before lunch we shall look at what can be done locally through elected members and the Single Outcome Agreements to help meet national targets. The afternoon will allow for the presentation of good practice around key themes of early intervention; tackling employment and in work poverty and the role of housing and communities before opening up to a discussion forum. In the afternoon, Holyrood are also delighted to be hosting a Scottish Government led consultation exercise with feedback from round tables held after the day's presentations used by the tackling poverty team to directly influence and develop The Scottish Government End Child Poverty draft strategy. At a time when eradicating poverty is high on national agendas both north and south of the border, Holyrood magazine’s Tackling Child Poverty conference provides an opportunity to examine, discuss and debate, share good practice and feed into one of the most significant commitments of our Government in this field for a generation. We hope you can join us. |
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Speakers include
The Poverty Truth Commission
COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing and Safety
Director, See~Change Consultancy
Social Policy Consultant
Joint Director of Public Health at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and Glasgow City Council and
Chair, Glasgow Child Poverty Group