Radical change needed to cut Scottish child poverty, says charity

In her statement, Somerville said tackling poverty was at the heart of the Scottish government’s plans for public service reform including tailoring services for individual needs in an approach known as “whole-family support”.

“The time to go further is now,” she said. “That means changing how services work together, ensuring they are joined up and designed around need, so that families can get the right support, at the right time and in the right place.”

The JRF describes the current roll-out and funding for whole-family support as “wholly inadequate.”

In a statement, Cosla, which represents local authorities, said its members took the report seriously and would do everything possible to cut poverty.

But its resources spokesperson, Kelly Parry, said councils were being constrained by funding shortages and rising demand for services.

Opinion polling conducted by the Diffley Partnership for the JRF suggests that two thirds of people think their council is underfunded, with just 4% saying the opposite.

It also indicates that people significantly underestimate the 61% share of local government funding which comes directly from the Scottish government. Council tax, by contrast, accounts for just 17%.

The pollster surveyed 3,381 adults in Scotland between 22 and 26 June.

“Councils are ready to be held accountable for the contribution we make,” added Parry.

“But responsibility must be matched by the powers, fair and flexible multi-year funding, and genuine partnership needed to deliver lasting change.”