ONE in four children is living in absolute poverty in Scotland according to government statistics.

This week is Challenge Poverty Week with campaigners, charities and activists highlighting the experience of people living in poverty and calling for greater government action to eradicate it.

While other definitions of poverty have seen a reduction in recent years the absolute poverty rate has remained stubborn meaning around 200,000 children are living in Scotland today in a family on less than 60% of the average income.

The median income for adults is £24,000 a year or £460 a week, this means that living on less than £276 a week is considered absolute poverty.

However the median income for families with children is lower at £406 per week and has fallen for four years in a row.

The latest government report shows 24% of children were living in absolute poverty in 2013/14.

The Poverty Alliance launched the week of action at the SNP conference in Aberdeen.

The aims of Challenge Poverty Week are to bring to public attention the reality of poverty in Scotland and to the show the impact of poverty on individuals and communities and to address the stereotypes that exist about poverty.

Campaigners said they will highlight what is being done to address poverty and to highlight the continuing challenges faced in addressing poverty.

Peter Kelly Director, said: “Challenge Poverty Week is a time for each of us to think about what we can do to tackle poverty.

“It is an opportunity to pause and take stock of where we are, and think about the kind of Scotland we want to live in.

“This growing inequality cannot continue, and it is important that we think about what can be done by the Scottish Government to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”

Oxfam co-hosted the event attended by politicians and campaigners from across Scotland.

Recent research from the charity stated the four richest families in Scotland own the same wealth as the bottom 20 per cent of the population.

Oxfam said another round of cuts from the UK Government would only lead to an increase in poverty.

Jamie Livingstone, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said targets needed to be ambitious and poverty inside and outside Scotland should be a priority for action.

He said: "We are increasingly aware of the barrier that extreme economic inequality represents in tackling poverty. Yet poverty and inequality are not inevitable, they are consequences of deliberate political and economic choices.

"Nor can we ignore poverty beyond Scotland. Every political party must commit themselves to creating a more equal Scotland within a more equal world."

At the Conservative Party Conference this month David Cameron said he would make poverty a priority in his final five years in office as Prime Minister, a statement welcomed but with scepticism among campaigners.

Mr Cameron had said he would use his remaining years for an “all-out assault on poverty”.

John Dickie of Child Poverty Action Group Scotland said the children of parents in work as well as out of work were likely to be living in poverty.

He said: “These are parents working the longest hours for the lowest wages.

“It is damaging the health, education and future employment prospects of their children.”

He said the predictions were poverty was going to increase with 100,000 more children in Scotland pushed into poverty as a result of government welfare changes.

He added: “We have been measuring the cost of raising a child. In the last two to three years it has increased by 10%, outstripping inflation and benefit payments.”