Scotland on course to miss child poverty targets 'by wide margin', charity warns

Why This Matters

• Scotland has legally-binding targets to cut child poverty, including a pledge to reduce the share of children in relative poverty below 10% by 2030
• More than 940,000 people in Scotland, including one in five children, are in relative poverty
• The 2030 deadline is now close enough that missing the targets looks increasingly likely without a change of approach

Background

In 2017, MSPs passed a law requiring Scottish ministers to meet four child poverty targets, including reducing relative child poverty below 10% by 2030. Relative poverty is defined as a household having disposable income after housing costs below 60% of the UK median, adjusted for family size and composition. The JRF report is the second major warning in 18 months: a separate assessment published in March 2025 already found Scotland missing its child poverty targets.

Key Perspectives

Joseph Rowntree Foundation: The charity argues existing policy is inadequate, calling for a "much bolder and properly-funded plan" that rewires local government, public services and the tax system. Scottish government: Ministers say policies have kept 100,000 children out of poverty this year and that "great strides" have been made, while accepting there is more to do. Critics/Skeptics: Some question whether the 2030 targets are achievable under the current approach, noting that Scotland's child poverty rate, while above target, remains below the UK average of 28%.

What to Watch

• Whether the Scottish government responds with a new, fully funded anti-poverty plan
• The next official child poverty statistics, which will show whether the rate is moving toward the 2030 target
• Any changes to tax and social security policy in the next Scottish budget