It is a well-known problem and infamously stubborn.

Poverty, and particularly child poverty, in Glasgow, remains high and the problems facing families in the city have intensified in recent years with the number of families affected increasing.

Welfare reform is set to see child poverty levels increase even further from the 34% in Glasgow, but which rises to almost 50% in the most deprived areas.

There are 38,000 children in poverty in the city according to the latest statistics and the damaging impact of the welfare reform agenda can be seen in the projection by the Institute of Fiscal Studies of an increase to 50,000 by 2021.

In-work poverty is an increasing phenomenon that lays bare the falsehood that work is the route out of poverty.

Six out of ten people in poverty in Glasgow are from a household where someone is in a job and foodbanks have reported a rise in people in work in need of emergency help.

The Evening Times has asked Glasgow City Council what it can do to tackle the persistent problem that has beset the city for generations.

READ MORE: Susan Aitken's challenge to Amber Rudd - Come to Glasgow and see poverty

Over the next four days, we will examine some of the initiatives currently in place and those planned to make an impact in the future.

The targets set by the Scottish Government Child Poverty Act and ambitious and, given the IFS projections, it could be argued unrealistic.

The interim target for 2023 is for 8% of children in combined poverty. As the current Glasgow figure is 41% it would mean taking 36,000 out of poverty in less than five years.

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said much of what the council does is undermined by welfare reform at a UK level.

As a result, she said: “Instead of lifting people out of poverty we are at best maintaining them.”

She said the figures will get worse, however, she added: “We shouldn’t accept that. I don’t accept that. We cannot give up on it.”

Ms Aitken said the council strategy is to provide stability for those who are in danger of being sucked under into poverty. For those who are suffering poverty, put in place initiatives that help them with day to day living.

But at the same time have in place long term strategies that will bear fruit in the future, giving today’s children a better opportunity to avoid the inter-generational poverty that blights so many parts of the city.

Ms Aitken said: “We need to maintain a focus on the bigger strategic priority.”

READ MORE: Child poverty in Glasgow - Areas with highest levels revealed

The council leader accepted that budgets pose a challenge but said it is not just about seeking more money through the block grant from Holyrood but aligning closely with the Scottish Government priorities on reducing inequality and inclusive growth.

Ms Aitken also said the council must build on some of the work started by previous Labour-run councils.

She said: “The Glasgow Guarantee and the Glasgow Living Wage. Previous administrations deserve credit for those. We want to push that further.”

With a recognition that money in people’s pocket is the key to reducing poverty, she would like to see a key commitment by the Scottish Government put in place sooner.

Ms Aitken said: “I have written to the social security secretary, Shirley Ann Somerville, about the new income supplement.

“The Scottish Government wants to implement it before the end of the parliament in 2021. We have said can we look at it being expedited.”

The council plan includes some abstract aims with a long term focus, like reducing inequalities, improving life chances and choices and empowering citizens giving them a greater say in what happens in their own community.

The tangible here and now actions include; increasing the school clothing grant to £110 benefitting almost 30,000 children.

Extending free school meals for all pupils up to primary four, costing £1.5m. the plan is to go further and make all primary pupils eligible by 2022.

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And a new approach to holiday hunger with £2m for community groups for activities with a meal instead of just funding a free meal.

As well as spending in the here and now investing for the future is crucial for the strategy to have a lasting impact.

Ms Aitken pointed to figures of people not being in work due to low skills or qualification not having changed in decades.

While the city has a higher than average for graduate-level qualifications it is also one of the highest in the UK for low or no qualifications.

Reducing the attainment gap and increasing the number of people from the most deprived areas with the qualification needed to access work is a priority.

The council leader said: “While we are trying to bring in investment and persuade companies to locate in Glasgow our part of the bargain is providing the skilled workforce needed.”

She pointed to the deal cone with Barclays who will locate in Tradeston, where 400 of the jobs created will be guaranteed for local people.

Success, she said would be the attainment gap continuing to close and a reduction in the number of people not working because they don’t have the skills and qualifications.

The goal, she said, is: “Long term generational change. Incremental, long term sustainable change.”