Bringing Hope, Building Futures: Tackling child poverty delivery plan 2026-2031

Ministerial foreword – First Minister

My commitment to eradicating child poverty in Scotland stems from my belief that all children should have the opportunity to flourish regardless of the situation they are born into. Supporting the children who need help the most is a moral imperative. It makes Scotland a better place for all of us, with a stronger economy and a brighter future. That is why I have made this the top priority for my government.

The Scottish Government has made significant progress since 2018. Our groundbreaking Scottish Child Payment is a great example – it has supported more than 244,000 parents since 2021, putting almost £1.5 billion directly into the pockets of low-income families.

But our work cannot stop here. Our job is not done until every child in Scotland has enough to eat; a safe, warm home to live in and the chance to fulfil their potential.

The shared consensus behind the 2030 child poverty targets, which were endorsed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in 2017, reflects a national commitment to this ambition – one that goes beyond any single administration and speaks to the kind of country we want Scotland to be.

The context remains extremely challenging – the cost of living is still high, and people are feeling that pressure every day. While the removal of the two-child limit from April is welcome, families will continue to face significant financial pressures as long as the benefit cap remains in place. As a result, we will need to make some difficult decisions to continue to mitigate the UK Government’s lack of action.

This plan sets out an ambitious package of action designed to deliver the greatest impact for the people of Scotland. Collectively, these measures will help to transform how our public services work for families – creating a system of wrap-around Whole Family Support that is more joined-up, easier to navigate, and shaped around what families really need.

I see every day how vital social security is for families across Scotland. It is essential national infrastructure and a core investment in our people, and in the face of harmful UK Government welfare policies, our approach must be both compassionate and sustainable. That is why this plan includes decisive actions to protect and enhance the available support and promote the take-up of the benefits people are rightly entitled to.

It reflects what I hear consistently from families and those who support them: that secure, fairly paid work can transform lives and provide a lasting route out of poverty. We are taking action to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive economy, and to tackle the barriers in childcare and transport that too often limit parents’ ability to take up employment, training, or other opportunities.

This transformation cannot be achieved by government alone – its success relies on collaborative delivery. We will work side-by-side with our partners across Scotland, whose experience, insight and dedication are essential to making this ambition a reality. Our £20 million investment in the new Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund is one example of this in action – supporting community organisations to provide families with an accessible front door to public services that feel connected and work around their needs.

This plan sets a solid foundation for an incoming government to build on. But its impact depends on continuity. Eradicating child poverty is, and must remain, a mission for all of Scotland, and it is essential that the next government maintains the momentum we have set and continues to deliver for Scotland’s children.

Above all, this plan is anchored in hope. A hope grounded in the real progress we have already made and the purpose that unites us. Hope for our children’s futures, for the strength of our communities, and for the transformational change we can deliver when we act together. We can build a Scotland where every child grows up free from the grip of poverty and able to imagine, and realise, a brighter future.

Rt Hon John Swinney, First Minister