Press Story

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Scotland, Scotland's leading progressive think tank, has responded to the UK government’s budget.

Stephen Boyd, IPPR Scotland director, said:

“We enthusiastically welcome the removal of the two-child limit, which will immediately lift around 20,000 children in Scotland out of poverty. This is the single most important measure the Chancellor could have announced today to tackle child poverty.

“The Scottish government must now carefully consider how best to use the funding previously earmarked for this policy to improve the lives of children living in poverty across Scotland.

“The Budget measures to ease the cost of living are a good start — but they remain only a start. Only a sustained, committed effort to bring down bills will allow households to feel better off by the end of the parliament.

“The additional funding for Scotland is, of course, welcome. But as we look ahead to the Scottish government’s January budget, it must be recognised that this settlement barely begins to address the fiscal gap outlined in the Scottish government's own Medium-Term Financial Strategy. Tough decisions and trade-offs still lie ahead if Scotland is to protect services, invest for the future and deliver better outcomes for the public.”

ENDS

CONTACT

Sukhada Tatke, media and impact officer, +447901169121, s.tatke@ippr.org

NOTE TO EDITORS

IPPR Scotland shapes public policy in pursuit of a fairer, greener, more prosperous Scotland.