TENS of thousands of children are living in poverty in Glasgow with the city named as having the most child poverty in Scotland – by a long way.
A new report mapping poverty throughout Britain shows the most deprived communities in the city dominate the top 10 child poverty hotspots in Scotland.
Across the city 37,554 children are living in poverty, one in three of all Glasgow’s children.
However, deeper analysis of the report shows the city’s most deprived areas have an ever greater problem with poverty.
The four areas most blighted by child poverty in Scotland are in Glasgow the report shows.
Calton, in the East End, is home to the highest level of child poverty in the country, with almost half of the population classed as poor, 1813 children.
Only Kirkcaldy East, in Fife, breaks the Glasgow domination of the top five council ward areas for child poverty.
The four worst in Scotland are Calton, followed by Southside Central, Pollokshields and Springburn.
All but three of the 21 areas listed covering the whole city have child poverty levels of above 30 per cent. Only Partick West, the lowest at 22 per cent, Langside at 25 per cent and Ballieston at 27 per cent were under 30 per cent.
Two of the four are in the Glasgow Southside constituency of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/15085381.new-ambitious-bid-to-end-child-poverty-in-scotland/
Ms Sturgeon said there are many causes, old and new and from austerity to Brexit the First Minister pointed to Westminster as the root.
She said: “ I am acutely aware of the problem of child poverty, not least because I see the impact in my own constituency. UK Government budget cuts, austerity measures, welfare cuts, and scrapping of income-based child poverty targets are leading to huge social harm, and the poorest and most vulnerable in society shouldering the brunt.
“A withdrawal from the EU single market also poses a threat to living standards, job prospects, and income levels of people and communities across Scotland.”
She said the Scottish Government was trying to mitigate and close the attainment gap to improve opportunities for young people.
Glasgow Central constituency, which includes Calton, is the 12th highest in the United Kingdom.
Alison Thewliss, Glasgow Central SNP, MP also laid the blame firmly at the door of Downing Street. She said: “The UK Government’s record on the issue of child poverty is appalling. This is a government who scrapped statutory income-based child poverty targets; clearly demonstrating how low down the issue is on their list of priorities.”
Campaigners urged a reversal of austerity policies to prevent more children falling into poverty
John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: ‘‘It is scandalous that across Scotland so many of our children are growing up in poverty. There can be little doubt that the UK Government’s policy of maintaining the benefits freeze despite rising prices is a major contributor to the emerging child poverty crisis.”
Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance agreed that Governments can act to stop poverty.
He said: “Glasgow has long standing problems of child poverty. It will require action from local, Scottish and UK Government’s if we are to make any meaningful progress in places like Calton and Springburn. Ending the freeze on social security benefits, topping up child benefit in Scotland would disproportionately help these places.
"But we also need to recognise all the valuable work that is going on in these communities already to help support people who are living on low income, action that is delivered by community and voluntary organisations that can make a real difference. We need to ensure that vital services at the local level are not cut."
Ward number of children in poverty % of children
1 Linn 2057 32.8
2 Newlands/Aulburn 1389 30.8
3 Greater Pollok 2811 33.9
4 Craigton 1922 30.0
5 Govan 2030 38.4
6 Pollokshields 1857 39.5
7 Langside 903 25.5
8 Southside Central 2708 45.2
9 Calton 1813 46.6
10 Anderston/City 738 36.2
11Hillhead 939 31.8
12 Partick West 982 22.4
13Garscadden/
Scotstounhill 1948 33.3
14 Drumchapel/
Anniesland 2373 37.5
15 Maryhill/Kelvin 1519 30.8
16 Canal 2109 37.1
17Springburn 1623 38.9
18 East Centre 1640 33.8
19Shetteleston 1502 30.8
20 Baillieston 1814 27.1
21 north East 2629 33.6
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