Moray SNP News

RICHARD LOCHHEAD RESPONDS TO “UNACCEPTABLE” MORAY CHILD POVERTY FIGURES

Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland published figures this week showing that there are now 4228 children – 24.1% - in Moray living in poverty. 

Responding to the latest figure, Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said:

“Given the cost of living crisis and the fact we’ve been living with Tory austerity for 13 years, no one will be surprised that families and children in Moray continue to be pushed into poverty. In 21st century Scotland this is unacceptable.

“UK Ministers boast about Britain being a wealthy and successful country yet one in four children in Moray are now living in poverty and we know the biggest cause of poverty in this country is the Tory Government’s cruel approach to social security and policies that exacerbate inequalities.

“Food bank use continues to rise in Moray and the UK Government is not doing near enough to support households who are unable to afford the basics.

“The Scottish Government has used its limited powers to tackle poverty through the game changing Scottish Child Payment - a benefit unique to Scotland giving £25 per week for children under 16 - but under devolution we simply don’t have the powers to tackle the root causes of poverty in our local communities.

“The SNP Government will continue to do all it can and I welcome the Scottish Government’s announcement this week that will make it easier for those in need to access cash first in order to reduce reliance on emergency food parcels.

“Action to take these children out of poverty must be a priority for people working in every tier of government and people in Moray urgently need the UK Government to drop its heartless and draconian attitude to the least well-off households in our communities.”