Poverty and Inequality Commission Child Poverty Scrutiny Report 2024-25

The Poverty and Inequality share their new child poverty scrutiny report, which was prepared for the Scottish Government in May 2025. A range of recommendations have been made which include further investment on Social Security and providing funding for Advice Services to maximise take up of entitlements as well as breaking down barriers to accessing advice.

'The Commission has published a new child poverty scrutiny report, giving its views on progress made during 2024-25 towards meeting Scotland’s statutory child poverty targets. The Commission has also published modelling from WPI Economics that has informed its views and recommendations.

The report commends the Scottish Child Payment, saying it demonstrates that decisive policy action by the Scottish Government can have a real and measurable impact in reducing child poverty.

But it also notes that all four interim child poverty targets for 2023/24 have been missed, and adds that the Scottish Government must raise its ambitions to bridge the gap between the current situation and where we need to be in 2030/31. The Scottish Government needs more policies or actions with as great an impact as the Scottish Child Payment if they are to meet 2030 child poverty targets.'

Download the Child Poverty Scrutiny Report 2024-25 Executive Summary

Download the full Child Poverty Scrutiny Report 2024-25