THE politicians of the future launched their national campaign for 2015 today.

The Scottish Youth Parliament's,'POVERTY: See It, Change It' aims to raise awareness within the younger generation and the wider community about children and young people living in poor quality conditions.

More than one in five children in Scotland is living in poverty.

Nairn McDonald MSYP said: "It is such a big issue for young people in Scotland that we felt we had a responsibility."

"It can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time."

Glasgow East MP and shadow secretary of state for Scotland Margaret Curran, and Glasgow Shettleston MSP John Mason will be at today's launch at the Fuse Cafe in Shettleston.

Mr Mason said: "The first thing I can do as an MSP is to listen to the Scottish Youth Parliament and all young people but I will not take much convincing of the worth of this campaign."

Ms Curran added: "I will do all I can to help my local MSYPs to raise awareness of this issue."

The campaign targets young people to change the attitudes of other young people and to change the attitudes of the country.

It will also fight popular stigmas and stereotypes to speak about the reality of poverty in Scotland and challenge elected leaders and key stakeholders to work together to end child poverty by 2020.

The proportion of children experiencing poor quality lifestyles has increased from 19% to 22%.

Glasgow has the highest percentage of children living in poverty with 33%.

The Institute for Fiscal studies has forecast a huge increase with up to 100,000 more, living in poverty in Scotland by 2020.

The Child Poverty Act 2010 states to remove child poverty in the United Kingdom by 2020.

Mr McDonald also said: "We want the young people of Scotland to know that they will keep to their promise."

Ms Curran added: "I will commit to the pledge to uphold the 2020 commitment and call on other local elected members to do the same."

John Mason was an MP at Westminster when the Child Poverty Act was passed.

He has recently led a debate in parliament on raising the statutory minimum wage to the level of the living wage which is £7.85.

He said: "Around 59% of children in poverty have one parent or carer working showing low pay is a key part of the problem.

"Employers should not be gently asked to pay a living wage, they should be told to pay it!"

Poverty campaigners have been warned about further resources needed to tackle and abolish the issue.

He added: "If we are serious about eradicating child poverty we must spend more money on it and that means cutting other areas of expenditure, for example nuclear weapons."