I would encourage list members to submit evidence to the Scottish
Parliament Local Government Committee's inquiry into child poverty.
Relevant evidence and advice on effective measures from outside Scotland
would be especially useful.
Details on how to submit evidence are provided on the Committee's website,
contained in the message below. The deadline for submissions is Friday 27
June 2008.
Stephen Sinclair
Deputy Director, Scottish Poverty Information Unit
Glasgow Caledonian University
City Campus
Glasgow, G4 OBA
Tel: 0141 331 3666
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.povertyinformation.org/
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SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE LAUNCHES AN INQUIRY INTO
CHILD POVERTY
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/nmCentre/news/news-comm-08/clgc08-s3-
004.htm
23 April 2008
An inquiry into child poverty in Scotland was launched today with a call
for evidence by the Local Government and Communities Committee. With an
estimated 90,000 children living in severe and persistent poverty in
Scotland , the committee inquiry will focus on identifying solutions and
scrutinising child poverty targets.
Committee Convener Duncan McNeil MSP said:
“Child poverty adversely affects every aspect of a child’s life including
their health, education, future employment and well-being.
“The committee wants to identify those areas where action would bring
about the most immediate and significant difference, such as how the
targets on ending child poverty by 2020 and halving child poverty by 2010
can best be met.
“Securing a childhood that is poverty free and ensuring that today’s
children can fully realise their potential as tomorrow’s active citizens
is an issue that deserves our attention.”
Key issues to be addressed by the committee include:
the scrutiny arrangements for the targets for eradicating child poverty by
2020 and halving child poverty by 2010
the role of Single Outcome Agreements and Community Planning Partnerships
in relation to policy and service delivery
the role of the Committee in measuring what is happening in relation to
child poverty targets on a regular basis
supporting parents into, and remaining in, decently paid work
practical issues around maximising the take up of benefits
equality issues and the issue of sections of society being left behind and
remaining out of reach of policies designed to reduce poverty
Committee Convener Duncan McNeil will be interviewed about the inquiry on
the Scottish Parliament’s Holyrood Highlights programme broadcast on
Thursday 24 April at 11.45am. This can be viewed on www.holyrood.tv
For information on the inquiry and how to submit evidence log on to the
Committee’s website at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/committees/lgc/ChildPovertyinScotland-
Callforviews.htm
Background
The Committee decided to launch its inquiry after hearing evidence from a
number of organisations at a round-table event in Glasgow in March. Among
those who contributed to the child poverty event were representatives from
Save the Children, Barnardo’s Scotland , One Parent Families, Poverty
Alliance Scotland , National Children’s Homes, Working for Families Fund
and Child Poverty Action Group.
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