EDINBURGH: John Swinney will urge people in Scotland to “think big and act bold” when it comes to tackling child poverty as he delivers a speech on Wednesday.
The First Minister will say he is willing to put in the “hard yards” on the issue during the statement in Stirling. The event will be one of a series of speeches before the votes on the Scottish Budget at Holyrood in February.
Mr Swinney will highlight measures to alleviate child poverty, including £3 million to develop systems to mitigate the two-child benefit cap – which the Scottish Government aims to do in 2026.
Opponents of the SNP point out the full funding for this mitigation policy is not contained in the 2025/26 Budget. The Government’s tax and spending plans are almost certain to pass the vote, following Scottish Labour’s decision to abstain on the Budget Bill.
On Wednesday, the First Minister is expected to say: “I care so much about eradicating child poverty because I believe it is wrong to condemn any child to a life of disadvantage simply because of the economic circumstances in which they were born.
“There is a moral imperative – helping our most disadvantaged children is the right thing to do – but there is also a social and economic imperative.
“Scotland will never reach its full potential unless and until each and every one of us is able to flourish.”
He will add: “As a nation, I want us to think big and to act bold about our future. Put bluntly, nobody else is going to fix Scotland’s deep-seated challenges for us.
“As First Minister, I am committed to putting in the hard yards – to bringing people together and identifying lasting solutions. “Yes, in many cases these involve investment – but in many cases about ensuring support is joined up, and there when families need it. Working harder – but also working smarter.”