The Child Poverty (Scotland) Act 2017 (asp 6) is an act of the Scottish Parliament relating to the reduction of child poverty in Scotland.
History.
Certain sections of the Child Poverty Act 2010 were repealed by the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016, including provisions relating to income-based targets.
Legislative passage.
The act was passed unanimously by MSPs.
Provisions.
The act reinstates targets relating to income that were previously contained in the Child Poverty Act 2010.
The act places an obligation on the Scottish government to have achieved the following targets by 2030:
The act also establishes reporting mechanisms, and places a duty on the government to publish delivery plans in 2018, 2021 and 2026. It also requires the government, local authorities and health boards to report on what they are doing to reduce child poverty.
The act establishes the Poverty and Inequality Commission, responsible for the following:
Implementation.
Between 2015/2016 and 2021/2022, child poverty rose in every local authority in Scotland.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has suggested that increased access to childcare and reform of the labour market to encourage flexible working would allow more parents to take jobs, which would be one way to contribute to achieving the targets.