ATTEMPTS to reduce poverty in Scotland have failed and the fear is it will get worse with impending welfare cuts.

The latest figures from the Chief Statistician show that more than three quarters of a million people in the country are living in poverty.

The report shows while there was a decrease in poverty between 1999 and 2005, little has changed since.

Glasgow has the highest rate of children estimated to be living in poverty of all Scotland's 32 councils.

The six Scottish council wards with the highest rate of child poverty are all in Glasgow.

Glasgow North East is the worst performing of all Scotland's 55 Westminster constituencies, with 43% of children living in poverty, while Springburn is the worst council ward in the country, with 51% of children being brought up in poverty.

Across the city, analysis shows that an estimated 36,374 children live in poverty, one in three of all the city's kids.

Politicians and campaigners are in the city today for the Child Poverty Action Group annual conference.

Children's charities warn that incomes are falling among working families and predict as many as another 50,000 children could be plunged into poverty by 2020.

The figures show there were 780,000 people in absolute poverty last year, that is 14% of the Scottish population.

There were 160,000 children and 150,000 pensioners in absolute poverty, despite a UK Government target of eradicating child poverty by 2020.

Campaigners warned of worse to come.

John Dickie, Head of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: "Any reduction in child poverty is welcome but is overshadowed by frightening Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasts of a massive surge in child poverty as UK tax and benefit changes kick in.

"It is more vital than ever that the UK Government rethinks its lack of support for families, but here in Scotland we need the government to ratchet up its use of devolved powers."

Jackie Brock, Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, said: "The figures indicate the number of children living in absolute and relative poverty in Scotland has remained stagnant, flatlining since 2010.

"We urge governments, both sides of the border, to continue working towards the goal of eradicating child poverty, considering how to mitigate the worst effects of economic and political change, on our most vulnerable families."

stewart.paterson@eveningtimes.co.uk