CAMPAIGNERS are hopeful a new Child Poverty Bill will make a difference to hundreds of thousands of children.

The Bill, if it becomes law, will set targets to reduce child poverty, the only part of the UK to do so.

There will be a three year delivery plan updated every five years and annual reports produced to measure progress.

The target is to reduce child poverty by 2030 and in the future eradicate it completely.

Angela Constance, Equalities Secretary said: “Child poverty has been a systemic problem for decades.

“Tackling the immense challenge is an ambition all of Scotland, be that national and local government, health boards, businesses, the third sector or others, must work together to overcome.

Campaigners hope it will lead to ongoing action that puts child poverty at the heart of the government’s agenda.

John Dickie, chair of Child Poverty Action Group said: ““his Bill is hugely welcome and could prove to be a turning point in the lives of more than 220,000 children living in poverty in Scotland today.

“The ambitious new targets and the legislative framework that underpins them will help ensure that child poverty remains high on the political agenda and that government is consistently held to account.”

Targets are seen as crucial in producing effective action to reduce poverty.

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, said: “The publication of this legislation is very welcome. Too many children in Scotland have their lives blighted both now and into their future as a result of poverty.

“By taking a more strategic approach and setting realistic targets, we can ensure that Scotland becomes a leader in tackling child poverty.”

Opposition parties however were sceptical of efforts when local government budgets were being cut.

Pauline McNeill, Glasgow Labour MSP said: “This bill has been launched just days after it emerged the SNP rewrote an independent report on poverty to erase criticism of their cuts.

“Naomi Eisenstaedt said that cuts to councils would hit the poorest hardest – but the SNP removed that section and then cut hundreds of millions of pounds from council budgets.”

Ms McNeill said the last UK Labour government lifted more than one million children out of poverty.

She said using the new tax powers of the Scottish Parliament could prevent further cuts and provide essential services that could help.