THE UK Government has been labelled a “disgrace” by Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner for choosing to push children into poverty.

Tam Baillie joined his counterparts in the other UK nations, to call for a halt to austerity to protect children and stop more being forced into poverty.

The commissioners published a report to the United Nations on the UK government’s record on children’s rights.

They said the country’s commitment to reducing child poverty has been diluted by the welfare reform and austerity agenda and warn even more will suffer poverty with £12bn additional cuts to be revealed by the Chancellor next week.

Mr Baillie issued a strong critique of the government’s welfare and austerity programme.

He said: “The current child poverty rate across the UK makes a mockery of our international obligation.

“It is deeply disturbing that the UK Government, aware of the current and future impact of its cuts, appears to be targeting the most vulnerable people in our society.”

He said it has condemned 2.3 million children into poverty with greater numbers to suffer the same unless it changes direction.

He added: “For one of the richest countries in the world, this is a policy of choice and it is a disgrace. It is avoidable and unacceptable.”

The report also stated that spending cuts were damaging delivery of services that children and the most vulnerable rely on, making the problem even worse.

Mental health services were found to be vastly underfunded.

The report stated: “Austerity measures have cut universal preventative services which will result in more significant interventions being required for older young people.”

It warned health, education, early intervention services and youth services have all seen reductions that are causing even greater problems.

The Commissioners said they were “deeply concerned” about recent reports that the UK government plans to repeal the Child Poverty Act 2010 which requires the UK and devolved governments to put in place strategies and actions to eradicate child poverty.

It also said 4.7 million children are projected to be living in poverty by 2020 if current policies continue.

The report said: “Reductions to household income for poorer children as a result of tax, transfer and social security benefit changes have led to food and fuel poverty, and the sharply increased use of crisis food bank provision by families.”

Mr Baillie added: “The government’s short-term budgetary policies will have long-term, corrosive effects on children across the whole UK, affecting their health, educational attainment and life expectancy.

“The Government must reconsider its policy of austerity measures for the sake of children across the UK.”