PRESS RELEASE

September 25th, 2008

MSP to lead investigation into child poverty

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil is to head up an inquiry into child poverty.

As convener of the Local Government and Communities committee, Mr McNeil will work his fellow members to produce a report into the Scottish Government’s attempts to reach child poverty targets in 2010.

According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, four council wards in Mr McNeil’s own constituency have twice the national average of children living in families receiving out-of-work benefits.

He has already taken evidence from a number of children’s groups including Barnardos, Child Poverty Action Group, NCH, One Parent Families Scotland, the Poverty Alliance and Save the Children.

This week, he attended an event held by the Campaign to End Child Poverty where he got to meet with some young people and hear their experiences of growing up in Scotland.

And he was later asked to address a reception held in the Garden Llobby of the Scottish Parliament.

He said: “This event gave me and my fellow committee members a valuable insight into the views of those for whom this enquiry is most concerned – children and young people.

“The End Child Poverty campaign has been a success already in winning broad support from all sections of Scottish society, and from all political parties and indeed governments.

“This was highlighted in the Prime Minister’s keynote address to the Labour party conference, where an announcement was made to enshrine in legislation the target of eradicating child poverty by 2020.

“While this was welcomed by campaign director Hilary Fisher, we were also reminded that there is much we need to do to achieve these goals.

“The Scottish Government has said it will do everything within its powers to help achieve the milestone of halving child poverty by 2010.

“So in terms of the committee, ensuring that the Scottish Government is held to this promise is our main priority this year.

“But of course, in order to effectively engage in this scrutiny we require the active co-operation of all parties, stakeholders and individuals with an interest in this issue. 

“So I look forward to working with all these organisations to make a difference to the children of Scotland.”

ENDS