IPPR Scotland responds to Scottish Conservatives’ announcement to impose a two-child limit for Scottish Child Payment

Responding to the Scottish Conservatives’ plan to impose a two-child limit for Scottish Child Payment, Stephen Boyd, IPPR Scotland director, said:

"The Scottish Child Payment is having a tangible impact in reducing child poverty in Scotland; it is the key reason why Scotland is bucking the UK trend of rising child poverty. The most rigorous academic evaluation yet undertaken found no evidence that the SCP 'reduced employment labour participation or hours'.  

"Scotland's child poverty targets were agreed by all the main parties in the Scottish Parliament and are legally binding. The Conservatives - and others who oppose the policy - need to come forward with compelling alternatives. Relying on getting more parents into work just doesn't cut it.  

"IPPR Scotland's latest modelling considered a 'better than best case' employment scenario. But even if this was delivered the targets would still be missed, with 60 per cent more children in poverty than required by the legislation.  

"The Scottish Child Payment is simply essential if Scotland is to get anywhere close to hitting these targets".

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW:  

Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, is available for interview.

CONTACT:

Sukhada Tatke, media and impact officer at IPPR Scotland: s.tatke@ippr.org; 07901169121

NOTE TO EDITORS:  

• IPPR Scotland released a briefing paper last year warning that the government is on track to miss its legally binding 2030 child poverty target unless it provides more social security support to families.
• IPPR Scotland shapes public policy in pursuit of a fairer, greener, more prosperous Scotland.