Response to First Minister's speech on eradicating poverty

We warmly welcome the First Minister's pledge today to make eradicating child poverty through whole family support a "truly national mission." Poverty is a disaster which destroys the wellbeing of our children, families and communities and the prosperity of our country.

But this can't just be a debate about public sector reform in the longer term. National and local Government must recognise and value the role that charities play in the delivery of vital public services to families, and that ongoing funding cuts have decimated our ability to sustain that support. 

For this mission to eradicate child poverty to be successful we need an urgent injection of resources for whole family support, including sustainable and long-term funding direct to the charity sector alongside increased support for families through measures like the Scottish Child Payment.

Our Holyrood 2026 Elections Manifesto calls for a comprehensive offer of whole family support. Read more here.

For more information on the First Minister's speech today on eradicating poverty click here.